Pound for Pounds

Four inches. That is what separates Lawrence North's Brandon Pounds from the state record in the shot put. Pounds' throw of 66 feet, 4 1/2 inches is just shy of the mark set by Pike's Jeremy Allen in 1997. It's achievements like this that earned Pounds a spot at the under-20 junior national championships one year ago. He finished 10th, one of only two high school juniors to finish among the top 10. "He came out really strong during indoor and posted 70 feet on my board as his goal," said Lawrence North coach Kenneth Browner. "I thought it was lofty, but now I think he just might get it." "He's provided great leadership for us," Browner continues. "He overcame a cyst in his wrist last year to place second at the state meet and threw in the junior national meet. Throwing against those guys really gave him confidence." One of the few feats Pounds hasn't been able to achieve is a state championship, but now, healthy and hungry, he is excited about the state meet. "Last year was hard, no one likes to be hurt," said Pounds. "It's like a rock in the road, you can either climb over it or stay satisfied with where you are." Pounds isn't satisfied yet. He has spent the season lifting weights, throwing in practice and breaking down his technique on video. Already the Lawrence North record holder in both the discus and the shot, Pounds headed to Landover, Md., in March for the Nike Indoor Nationals. He placed third, earning him All-American recognition. Following the state meet, it is off to Indiana State for Pounds. "I felt comfortable there," he said of the campus in Terre Haute. "It's an up-and-coming program where everyone is willing to work as hard as you are to work toward our goal." Pounds also cites ISU's proximity to Indianapolis, so his parents can watch him compete over the next four years. He's hoping his parents can watch him bring home a state shot put title before he heads off to be a Sycamore. Bob Belden on Pounds: "It's not a facade. For someone as talented as he is, he's one of the most humble guys. It's really admirable." Pounds on Belden: "He's a great guy. We started in the same place, being young guys who could compete with the older guys. I always look forward to competing against him because at the end, it's all about respect. He'll come up and shake your hand and tell you 'good job.'"