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Giving sport a real whirl
By Michael Bower, STAFF WRITER
May 17, 2008
HAYWARD - James Aubrey already had made the decision he wasn't going to throw the shot put or discus after leaving Turlock High for Hayward High two years ago. But when the track-and-field season rolled around, Aubrey had a slight change of heart. He decided to go to a meet and see what Hayward Area Athletic League track and field is all about.
"I was so close to not doing track," said Aubrey, who also plays football for the Farmers. "But it worked out for me."
Indeed it did work out, but not without the help of Hayward's throw coach Kristy Prasad. The two butted heads in some instances in Aubrey's sophomore season, but eventually Aubrey found a respect for Prasad.
"Sometimes you go to a different coach and think, 'Aww, man. She don't know nothing.' But she is a very knowledgeable coach, and she got a scholarship to San Francisco State. When I found that out, I respected her more. She really loves this sport, and I love her to death. She is like my sister. She is the only reason I stay in Hayward."
Prasad took Aubrey under her wings, pushing him to strive to do his best. During the fall she woke up early to work out with Aubrey in the gym, and they would have conversations about throwing or life in general over coffee.
"I think toward the end of football last year, he really sat down and said, 'What is it going to take coach? What is it going to take to get me there.' That's when I knew he finally made up his mind that he didn't want to be average. He wanted to be the best he can possibly be."
Aubrey, now a senior, is in the process of trying to make the state championships for the first time. He wrapped up the HAAL title in both the shot put and the discus last week. He threw the shot put 49 feet, 101/2 inches and the discus 146-0.
For his efforts, Aubrey is the Daily Review Prep of the Week.
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Aubrey will be competing today at the North Coast Section Bay Shore meet at Castro Valley High. He says there are still a few things he needs to work on in order to advance to the state meet.
"I am trying to go back to basics and fix little things that are wrong with my spinning," he said. "I haven't reached my potential yet."
Aubrey plans on continuing his track-and-field career at the College of San Mateo. He is still undecided about playing football at the next level.
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