New Balance Nationals Feature Local Nationally Ranked Athletes
Among the local athletes ready to face the challenge against some of the top track athletes in the United States will be the twin-bill of talent from Liberty Middle School- Dylan Dryer and John Luke Stovall. Dryer enters the national event ranked No. 1 in the country in the 1600-meter (mile) race while Stovall is listed as third best in 1600-meter. The top six finishers in the race will be named All-Americans.
Both have taken the State of Alabama by storm as Stovall set a new state record for the indoor 800-meter with a time of 2:08.74. Dryer has the state record of 4:45.86 in the 1600-meter. They both hold school records in their respective events.
“I definitely think the event will be exciting especially against new competition with the chance to race nationally,” said Dryer, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 131-pounds. “I feel I’m able to carry my own weight as I like the individual competition of racing.”
The 5-8, 120-pound Stovall has similar thoughts on the sport of track as he took up the sport after playing baseball and football. He said of the sport and his participation, “I love the environment of competing against others and pushing my teammates to be better. We’re a close team pushing each other.”
The indoor nationals began in 1999 with New Balance taking over the major sponsorship a decade ago. The annual event is held at the Armory in downtown New York.
Additional athletes from Madison area schools attending the national event include Bob Jones senior and current Pentathlon State Champion John Murray and Madison Academy senior Slate Rucker who recently signed a football scholarship for UNA and state bronze medal winner in the 200-meter.
“I first got into track when I joined the running club at Heritage Elementary School, but at the time I never thought I’d be on a track team,” said Dryer. “I used to suffer from migraine headaches, but when I took up track they went away.”
“On the track, I’m a confident runner and I don’t give up until I go across the finish line,” added Stovall. “I leave it all on the track.”
Both Dryer and Stovall have similar running inspirations and assistance in their training and preparations for their efforts. Each have fathers who ran track in their younger years with Michael Dryer running in high school and college and Channing Stovall taking to the Junior Olympics three different tries.
“I receive lots of encouragement from my father and we talk about my techniques and to prepare for meets,” said Dryer.
“My dad and I are taking my grandfather with us to New York and we plan on doing lots of sightseeing with the Statue of Liberty being at the top of my list of places I want to visit,” added Stovall.
Both Liberty student-athletes are among the A-B Honor Roll and have spiritual guidance in all aspects of their young lives as they both attend the same place of worship at The Rock.
