Dillon Stoebner reeled in some good results at the local Hershey Track Meet recently. Unfortunately, the state meet will be the one that got away.
Stoebner had a day to remember at the meet held in Aberdeen. The 12-year-old won a trio of events, taking first in the softball throw with a distance of 167 feet, nine inches, clocking a time of 29.73 seconds to win the 200-meter dash, and leaping seven feet, four inches to claim the standing long jump. For his efforts, Stoebner is the American News Athlete of the Week.
Winning the events qualified him for the state meet, but he won't be participating due to other plans.
"The only bad thing is my dad had planned a fishing trip, so I can't go to state," Stoebner.
Stoebner, who will be a sixth-grader at Simmons Middle School in the fall, was competing in his second Hershey meet. He said there were about 15 kids in his age group. With previous experience at the Hershey, Stoebner wasn't feeling a lot of pressure this time around.
"I was calm," said Stoebner, who won each of his events by a comfortable margin. His distance in the softball throw was 36 feet better than the runner-up, and his standing long jump beat the next competitor by over two feet.
Stoebner not only had a good day at the Hershey event, but also at his school before classes ended for the summer.
"The elementary school has a track and field day and I got first places in my events," said Stoebner, who was a very busy athlete on the day with hurdle events, running, throwing and relays, as well.
Favorite events for Stoebner include anything having to do with running or jumping.
"I am pretty good at jumping, and I like running," he said. "I can run really fast, I guess."
Family and physical size have been assets for Stoebner, who does a lot of push-ups to prepare for his events.
"My brother is really good, I kind of got (my talent) from him," said Stoebner. "I got a pretty big arm and was built really big."
As for goals entering a meet, Stoebner aims high, as was the case at the local meet, and has reached his aspirations.
"I wanted to win everything I entered," said Stoebner, who has a couple more years of eligibility left.
Asked if there's been any advice that has helped him to do the best he can at every meet, Stoebner said it's important to keep positive and try hard.
"Just do your best and don't get down on yourself," he said.
Personal
Family: Parents, David and Heidi; sister Katelin (9), brother Collin (13).
Favorite athlete: Bo Jackson.
Favorite team: Chicago Bears.
Other sports: Golf, Baseball, Basketball, Football.
Hobbies: Playing with friends.
Favorite athletic memory: Winning three events at the local Hershey Track Meet at Swisher Field.