Student-Athlete Of The Month: Jacob Ford

Jacob Ford had so much fun participating in Green Hornets track and field growing up, he felt it natural to try out for the Severna Park High squad when he became a freshman.

He didn’t make the team.

But the now-senior at Severna Park took it in stride, choosing to focus on what he could improve to make the cut as a sophomore — which he did.

“I asked the coach what I could do better to come back in the winter (of sophomore year) and make it. I got specific exercises, and I got the workouts for the team, so I did those and came back into the winter,” Ford said. “I've always had this down-but-not-out mentality. Something may not go your way, but it's never over just because one person says no sometimes. It may take a little bit of extra effort and some more time, but eventually you’ll be able to get there if you commit to it.”

Since then, Ford has gone from strength to strength, qualifying for Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association regional meets in both throwing disciplines. He has qualified for regionals twice in the discus, and he qualified in the shot put as a junior. He hopes to make it back to regionals in both disciplines as a senior, and maybe to the state meet in the discus, his specialty.

Ford took a massive leap at his sophomore last chance meet, in which he qualified for regionals. Last year was a down year by his standards, with his gains not as dramatic as before. But he learned more about himself and his techniques, and he finally felt ready to do something he had his eye on for over a year.

This summer, he returned to the Green Hornets program to help with the throws, teaching the next generation of throwers the importance of technique, power and tenacity.

“Between sophomore and junior year, I was considering helping out, and I was thinking about my time in Green Hornets. I really enjoyed those years and the people who helped me become who I am in track,” Ford said. “Everybody deserves someone to help them in this, but not a lot of people understand how to throw a shot put or discus. I didn't feel like I was ready, because I hadn't made it to regionals in shot put yet. But this summer, I felt like I was at a high enough level that I could show them how to do it, but I could make it fun as well. This was the year I could give back to everyone who helped me during my years at Green Hornets.”

In 15-minute bursts a couple of times a week, Ford tried to cram in as much technique, skill and fun as he could: some showing off proper technique, and lots of challenge games to keep kids interested. And he realized he could take some pressure off of himself and just enjoy the ride while he’s still on it.

“My hope is to try to make it to states this year in one or the other, (shot put or discus). I'm just going to go through the year with an open mind,’ he said. “Last season I ended up pushing myself down because I wasn't making as many milestones, so I'm hoping this year to keep pushing step by step.”

Having to make nearly 15 feet to hit the state qualifying mark and having to hit that mark at the regional meet, is daunting. But Ford has technique on his side, a little more power, and perspective. He hopes that his hard work will pay off one final time before he goes off to college, and that’s the message he hopes to impart to both the Green Hornets students and his schoolmates.

“The bottom line is really just, I started out and I never stopped. I feel like the most important thing a person can have is the feeling that they need to keep pushing forward, and that aspect of perseverance and working hard to reach your goals,” he said. “That's something that's more important in your life than a lot of other things.”