BOYS WINNER: Austin Droogsma - Junior @ Gulf Breeze
Gulf Breeze junior Austin Droogsma made it to state in the discus last year and just missed out in the shot put finishing fifth at regionals. However, the good news turned sour when Droogsma scratched out in the prelims and failed to make the finals. This year he has put up solid numbers and recently won both the shot and discus at the 3A District 1 Championships. His game plan going into regionals is simple. Make it to the finals. His dad Mike who is also his coach says there is a lot of mental preparation in the throwing events.
“We talked about it before we left for regionals. He needs to get a solid 150-155 feet in the disc and 48-50 feet in the shot put so he knows he makes the finals. After that we don’t mind what else he does as long as he finishes in the top four. He can go wide open in the next five throws. We think his punch power throws will carry him into the next level at state.”
Droogsma unleashed the shot put 56-7 and hurled the disc 179-10 which are the second and best third marks in those events in the state for 2012. Both are also just shy of his personal bests. His father Mike has held the school record in the discus at Gulf Breeze High School for the past 29 years. He says with Austin’s strong start and peaking at the right time it’s not a matter of if the record will be broken, but when.
“He’s had some much further throws than those in practices so it is just a matter of him having one click at a meet. My record is 182 feet and a few inches and he is right there on my tail. At any given meet that record is going to fall and I know it because he’s broken it at practice many times.”
In addition to a standout thrower, Droogsma also excels in wrestling, football, and baseball. Mike says that he has always wanted his son to be a multi-sport athlete and believes they help him in the long run with strength and conditioning. He says his sons’ strong points lie in his core and his feet.
“He has well placed feet and body position. He is incredibly coachable as well. If you pick out one little detail about his technique whether it is football, wrestling, or track he plugs it in and that’s the way it happens from then on. He wants to do it right. He knows what he needs to do to get better and throw farther.”
The two have been working out at the UNF campus and getting familiar with the throwing area that Austin will use for both regionals and states. Being comfortable in the circle is in an integral part in the throws. Mike believes his son will begin to see dividends at the 3A state championship and throughout the year.
“He’s had a real strong season and I don’t think this year he’s done with gains. I think he can go 58-60 feet in the shot and 190 feet in the discus before the end of the AAU season this year.”
Austin's Athlete Profile
GIRLS WINNER: Danielle Phillips - Sophomore @ Rockledge
Consistency. It’s a word not many would use to describe a sophomore athlete, but Rockledge’s Danielle Phillips has been on her “A” game all season long. The Raider’s track standout has cleared 19 feet in six of the nine meets she has participated in this year. Her jumps coach Freddie Goins says it was just a matter of time before she put it all together.
“Her first attempt she jumped 17-1. I told her to scratch the next jump, but the perfectionist in her wanted to go for more and she came back with a 19-11.5. She put everything together. Her speed down the runway was good. Her hips were controlled and she hit the board at the right speed and right position.”
Phillips is having a breakout sophomore season. That mark is the best in the state for 2012 and ranks sixth nationally. Last year, she was jumping in the 16 to 17 feet range. Her mark of 15-7.75 at the state meet placed her 16th. Goins credits the improvement to a preseason sprint and power program they started back in October.
“It’s the basic weight room and springs program with the plyometrics and simple science. She was performing well, but not near her potential so that was probably the biggest thing. Her increase in speed and power as well as her mental resiliency is better. It’s only her second year in track and field and she’s grown and matured a lot. That is the biggest difference.”
The Rockledge sophomore is gaining valuable points for her team. At the 2A Region 3 Championships not only did she win the long jump, but also racked up 20 more points with wins in the triple jump and 100m hurdles. Goins says she is a huge part of this team’s success and this year will be our team mvp.
“Her mental toughness is what sets her apart from most athletes. This week at states her goals are to break the state record in the long jump which I think is 22-2.75 so she wants to go 22-3. She wants to hit 14.2 in the 100 hurdles and I think she wants to go low 39 for the triple jump. She wants to be the best and she probably hates losing more than she likes winning. She’s very competitive.”
Danielle's Athlete Profile