MAHOMET — Citing fun as the deciding factor, Mahomet-Seymour High School football star Derek Bunch has signed a national letter of intent to participate in track at Indiana State University.
“I didn’t really want to play football in college,” said the 6-foot-6, 248-pound senior, who will receive a partial scholarship. “I didn’t feel that would be fun for me. I will have more fun with track.”
A two-time state qualifier in track, Bunch placed fifth last year in the Class 2A shot put when his season best was 55-5. He threw a career-best 56-5 Saturday to win at the Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor Classic.
Bunch, whose sister Dani throws for Purdue, threw 53-6 as a sophomore and 47-4 as a freshman. His career best in the discus is 152-9.
Bunch chose the Sycamores after also visiting Illinois State and Southern Illinois Edwardsville. His college coach will be 2004 Olympian Erin Gilreath.
“It will be interesting getting coached by a girl,” said Bunch, who plans to study civil engineering.
Mahomet-Seymour coach Keith Pogue sees a lot of potential for improvement by Bunch, an all-Corn Belt Conference offensive liNEman in football.
“He’s got a tremendous frame,” Pogue said. “Coach (Tom) Willard has done a really good job of getting him a lot more consistent. That’s one thing we’ve struggled with the last couple years.”
Read more: http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/hi...7cb-11e1-a3c4-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1qWneLPUW
“I didn’t really want to play football in college,” said the 6-foot-6, 248-pound senior, who will receive a partial scholarship. “I didn’t feel that would be fun for me. I will have more fun with track.”
A two-time state qualifier in track, Bunch placed fifth last year in the Class 2A shot put when his season best was 55-5. He threw a career-best 56-5 Saturday to win at the Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor Classic.
Bunch, whose sister Dani throws for Purdue, threw 53-6 as a sophomore and 47-4 as a freshman. His career best in the discus is 152-9.
Bunch chose the Sycamores after also visiting Illinois State and Southern Illinois Edwardsville. His college coach will be 2004 Olympian Erin Gilreath.
“It will be interesting getting coached by a girl,” said Bunch, who plans to study civil engineering.
Mahomet-Seymour coach Keith Pogue sees a lot of potential for improvement by Bunch, an all-Corn Belt Conference offensive liNEman in football.
“He’s got a tremendous frame,” Pogue said. “Coach (Tom) Willard has done a really good job of getting him a lot more consistent. That’s one thing we’ve struggled with the last couple years.”
Read more: http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/hi...7cb-11e1-a3c4-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1qWneLPUW
