SPRINGDALE -- The outdoor track season for Peyton Powell began with some uncertainty after he tweaked his hamstring during the indoor portion of the schedule.
But Powell has already qualified for the state meet in the 400, where he is second in Northwest Arkansas with a time of 50.40 seconds. He also runs the third leg on Springdale Har-Ber's 4X400-meter relay team, which has also qualified for the state meet in Fayetteville on May 7.
Profile
Peyton Powell
SCHOOL: Springdale Har-Ber
CLASS: Senior
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 190
NOTABLE: Has qualified for the state meet in the 400 and as a member of Har-Ber’s 4X400-meter relay team. … Currently second in the area with a 50.40 in the 400. … Signed last week to continue track and field career at Missouri Southern. … Also played wide receiver on the Har-Ber football.
Missouri Southern took notice and Powell signed a letter of intent with the Lions last week to continue his track and field career in college. But if anyone expects for Powell to ease up now and protect himself for the future, they don't fully understand him.
"Some of the pressure is off, but knowing I'll get a chance to run in college pushes me even harder," Powell said. "The expectations will be even greater and I want to be able to performance when I get there. Right now, I want to focus on my training and improve my stride and my speed."
Har-Ber coach Wayne Hall was naturally concerned about his star athlete after Powell suffered a hamstring injury at the Arkansas Invitational Indoor Meet. But he knew if anyone could overcome that injury and flourish, it was Powell.
"Peyton's work ethic is a big thing that separates him from some others," Hall said. "He gets his training in, listens to what I tell him, and comes back every day without complaints. I never have any worries or concerns with Peyton."
Powell qualified for the state meet when he ran a 50.40 while winning the 400-meter run at the Cyclone Relays in Russellville. That ensures he'll get a chance to improve his mark after he finished eighth in the 400 as a junior.
"Peyton missed the conference meet with a hamstring (injury) as a sophomore, but he got down into the 50s in the 400 last year," Hall said. "He seems to be coming around again and ready to roll after he tweaked his hamstring in indoor."
Powell, a 6-foot-4 senior, is just as eager to help the Har-Ber in the 4X400 at the state meet. That team ran 3:24.50 and includes Cameron Camp, Matthew Wentz, Powell, and Aaron Featherston, who recently surpassed Powell in the 400 with a time of 49.81. Powell also runs the 800 for the Wildcats, but he's yet to qualify in that event.
"It's fun running in the relays, where you and your teammates push each other and encourage each other," said Powell, who played wide receiver for the Har-Ber football team. "I've only run the 800 twice, so it's been interesting. I've got some work to do there."
Powell hopes to regain the area lead in the 400 when Har-Ber competes in the McDonald Relays at Fort Smith Southside Friday. Then it's on to the 7A-West Conference meet in Bentonville April 30 and the Class 7A state meet in Fayetteville on May 7.
"I'm 100 percent and ready to go," said Powell, who plans to pursue a degree in business administration in college. "My coaches are pushing me to PR with a 49 in the 400, and that's what I'm planning to hit."
Sports on 04/23/2015