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Local Sports

Local sports in the Panhandle are not just a game, they are a lifestyle. Our community eats, sleeps and breathes cheering on our local athletes.
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News13’s Stephen Gunter is committed to giving you stories of the Panhandle’s top athletes, intriguing match-ups and unusual sports you may not even know exist.
sgunter@wmbb.com

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Powell Jumps for Joy

MARIANNA - Most high school athlete’s dream of competing on the Division I level.  In order for Cottondale graduate Clarence Powell to make his dream come true it involved transferring high schools and an unorthodox training method.

“Girls,” Powell said.  “Then I started getting better at it.”

No, it wasn’t the thrill of competition that drew Powell to track and field.

“The more girls that came out, the better I performed.”

More girls plus a better performance equals more college scouts which helped Powell sign with Liberty University to become the first Division I track and field athlete from Jackson County.

“Since track is so fun, there’s no pressure at all. I’m going to be representing Jackson County.”

For the Cottondale grad, working out at Marianna High School is actually a luxury.  He’s usually forced to improvise most of his workouts.

“I usually run down dirt roads, jumping over chairs and jumping over fences,” Powell said.  “I really don’t have anything to practice on.”

Those aren’t the only unconventional ways of Powell. He wears “Dora the Explorer” socks to every event.  He calls them his “good luck socks.”

Powell came to Cottondale High School last summer, after transferring from Marianna to improve his grades; all in an effort to get a track scholarship.

“Run and jump, that’s my passion.”

Powell won the Class 2A state title in the triple jump.  He was runner-up in the high jump and long jump.  He also won the Florida State relays, but Powell wants more.

“Hopefully I can do well enough, get in shape to go to the Olympics,” Powell said.  “Hopefully I can get signed to a Nike company or something.”

Powell will be competing in Nationals on June 14-16 at NC State A&T.

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