Five questions with Dunnellon’s Winston Sanders, the 2A discus champion
WHO: Winston Sanders
SCHOOL: Dunnellon
YEAR: Senior
SPORTS: Track and field, football
EVENTS: Discus, shot put
POSITION: Defensive line
Getting to know Ja’Varien Salter: 5 Questions with Vanguard High School athlete Ja’Varien Salter
Getting to know DJ Bennett: Five questions with Belleview tennis champ
Getting to know Gavin Savino: Five questions with West Port's tennis and football standout
5 QUESTIONS
Q: You recently won the 2A boys discus championship (47.79m), but in qualifying, placed 15th of 18 competitors (41.04m). How were you able to improve like that for state, and how did it feel to win and become a state champion?
A: First off, I’m definitely blessed and thankful that I got the opportunity to go into states and compete. Because like you said, I was 15th of 18th, which means that a few more throws further than I did, I wouldn’t have made it. So, I’m definitely thankful for that. I think what helped me a lot was that I stayed humble. I didn’t put my head down or anything. I went to states, I performed, and that’s really all I can say.
All thanks to the coaches too, because at regionals, I didn’t really spin at all. I didn’t do a full throw, I just did a standing throw. So, within that week, I decided to ask my coaches for more help, and (they) helped get me ready for states.
Q: What’s one thing about discus that the average person may not know or realize?
A: When you show someone the discus, they think that it’s just like a frisbee. So they’re gonna throw like a frisbee not realizing that it’s not… it has some pounds to it, so it’s not gonna release how you want it to release. Not only that, but when you tell someone you do discus, they don’t know what you’re talking about at all.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite TV show or movie?
A: I’m a big fan of dancing movies. I’m a big fan of Disney channel. If I have to say one movie, and this is a swimming movie, it’s called "Pride". I’m pretty sure not many people know about that movie, but if you look it up and you watch it, you’ll enjoy it.
Q: If you could magically become good in any other track and field event, what would you want to compete in and why?
A: The 300-meter hurdles. The reason why is because when you do it, it takes a lot of technique to know how to actually jump the hurdles and keep going with more speed. For that reason, I feel like it’s hard for a lot of people to do it. But once you get it down, it would become easier.
Q: If you could have dinner with any athlete, alive or dead, who would it be?
A: Kobe Bryant, 'cause Kobe's the GOAT, to be honest with you. I feel like being at a table with him, he’ll motivate you a lot and he’ll definitely teach you a lot within like 30 minutes of you just talking to him.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: High school track and field: Meet Dunnellon discus champ Winston Sanders
