NAVARRE - Stephen Pop did something no Maplewood boy had done since 2005 - he qualified for the state track and field meet in the discus.
Justin Wajda took fourth in 2004 in discus and sixth in 2005 as a junior and senior.
Wajda's throw of 164 feet, 7 inches in 2005 is the Rockets' record.
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"I'd like to beat that," said Pop, who placed third at the Division III Navarre Fairless regional track and field meet.
Pop, whose best throw was 160-5 at districts, had some trepidation that he might not make it to this weekend's state meet in Columbus. Springfield's Local's Stephen Lyons and East Canton's Duke Taylor were about 15-20 feet farther than Pop.
"I was nervous from the beginning. I knew (Badger's) Kenny (Bolyard) was throwing 160s, also," Pop said.
Pop threw 153-0 to place third. The top four in each regional final advanced.
Going to state is a work in progress for the Maplewood sophomore.
"Stevie started out and threw 150 feet his eighth-grade year," Maplewood throws coach Ben Gibson said. "Freshman year, he threw 120s and he's progressed up to 160s at districts - grown 20-30 feet this year. He's got a real natural spin going. He works hard at it and loves the sport."
Also, Gibson knows when Pop has a good throw.
"When he blocks well, I know he has a good throw," Gibson said. "It comes out of the back of the circle. Goes fast, blocks well and keeps his arm up at the end, has a good orbit. Then I know it's sailing out there."
If things go right in Columbus, Pop can set a personal best.
"I think he can go up to 170 if he hits it right," Gibson said.
