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Powell wins 4th straight WIVC titles
The Carrollton boys’ track and field team won its third consecutive conference title at Tuesday’s Western Illinois Valley Conference meet, but the Hawks’ streak is still not quite as impressive as what North Greene’s Kevin Powell has accomplished over the past four years.
Powell won his fourth straight conference titles in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes Tuesday. He also helped two North Greene relay teams to first-place finishes.
“It’s pretty weird because it seems like I just came in as a freshman,” said Powell. “Now here I am, with about a week left of actual meets that I’m going to run.”
Sweeping the sprints for four straight years was hardly a thought after those first wins three years ago.
“It feels pretty amazing because some people wish they could have the opportunity to actually succeed in it,” Powell said. “I actually feel pretty amazed of it. It makes me feel good about my team and stuff.”
As Powell has continued to win, he’s also continued to improve. The North Greene sprinter has consistently cut seconds off his times, and is currently undefeated in the 100 this season.
His only loss in the 200 this year was to a sprinter from Missouri.
“For anybody to go through an entire track season and go undefeated, it’s quite a feat,” said North Greene coach Shane Owsley. “If there’s somebody more valuable on another track team, I’d like to meet him.”
Powell has received over 30 scholarship offers to continue his track career, but hasn’t decided on a school yet.
“It’s mind boggling right now what I want to do,” he said.
The North Greene senior has been to the state meet for three years running, and hopes his fourth trip will be the charm. So far, he’s never made it past the first day.
Powell will run at the Litchfield Sectional next Friday in an attempt to get back to Charleston and the state meet. He’s hoping he’ll end his prep career on the track there at Eastern Illinois University.
And he’d prefer that to be on a Saturday, when the finals take place.
“I would just like to place at state,” Powell said. “It would be awesome, just knowing that I placed.”
