Smith is TLU dual-athlete

Ray Smith has become a dual-sport athlete for Texas Lutheran University.

The Anderson-Shiro H i g h S c h o o l graduate is comp e t i n g for the track and field t e a m . A defensive lineman for the football team, he said he started practicing in early January.

The redshirt sophomore said last year that the coaches asked him to consider competing in track and field and asked again this school year.

He is throwing the shot put, just as he did during high school. He said he is still adjusting to throwing a 16-pound ball after tossing a 12-pound one in high school.

He finished seventh among a field of 13 in his first meet and scored two points for the team. He placed ninth among 18 in the March 2 Trinity Open, setting a personal best of 11.37 meters, or 37 feet, 3.75 inches.

“I’m not finishing right,” he said. “I’m still high. My overall stance is too high.”

Opponents have been throwing 14 to 16 meters.

“I think by conference I should be throwing at 14 also,” he said.

Smith has started learning the weight throw, which he has not done, so that he can compete in that event, too.

Track practices are three weekday afternoons a week, and football workouts are four weekday mornings. He said he played football at 296 pounds during the fall but is 276 now.

“We’re getting a lot stronger,” he said.

More men’s indoor

track and field

TLU freshman Tyler Dykes has been competing in the 100-meter dash. The Io-la High product finished 1 7 t h in the e v e n t in two meets, setting a personal best of 11.36 seconds at the Trinity Open. He had three catches for 28 yards as a wide receiver for the football team.

Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com .