Ophoff shows oomph

By Shane Carney, The Gazette

CEDAR RAPIDS - Diligent work on technique can be the difference for a runner trying to cross the line before the rest of the pack. And Linn-Mar's Brandon Ophoff displayed his fine-tuned technique by blowing past the competition Saturday in Cedar Rapids Kennesy's Draxton-Stiers/Wilkinson Invitational co-ed track meet at Kingston Stadium.

Ophoff competed in all three hurdle events and ran away with three wins to add to his undefeated record this spring. Still, the senior feels much more satisfied with a positive team result.

“Obviously, we want to be able to win as a team, and our main goal is state,” Ophoff said.

Ophoff anchored the shuttle hurdle relay to a winning time of 59.09 seconds, which was just good enough to overcome Kennedy by two-tenths of a second. Later, Ophoff won the 110-meter high hurdles in a much more dominating fashion, crossing the line nearly a whole second before Iowa City West High's sophomore Andrew Gilbaugh, 14.78 to 15.60.

“He is not the fastest guy in the world, but I have never had a hurdler who is as efficient,” said Linn-Mar assistant coach Tim Stamp. “He is a very disciplined athlete.”

Ophoff held his best performance for the day for his last event, the 400 meter hurdles.

Going into turn three, he had the lead and there was no way anyone was going to catch him. He won the race in 54.57 seconds. His teammate, sophomore Jabez Walker, came in second in 56.79.

Despite the impressive individual performance by Ophoff, the Lions were second in the team competition to Iowa City West.

The Trojans won the boy's team title with 168 points. Linn-Mar was with 123, and Cedar Rapids Jefferson finished third with 94 points.

Cedar Rapids Prairie took the women's crown with 146 points. Cedar Falls was second with 122, and Cedar Rapids Xavier scored 79 to earn third.

There is much more work to be done if Ophoff wants to call himself champion at the Drake Relays this month and at the state tournament in May.

“I don't have the best advantages,” he said. “I'm not the tallest. I'm not the fastest. (But) I like to work hard. It is just something that I do.”