By John Raffel
Mohogany Wells won the shot put for Lansing Sexton at the Division 2 state championship, and Coye Bouyer, the boys and girls coach, was very impressed with what he saw.
Wells had a first-place throw of 42-8. It was below her personal throw of 45-5 ¼ in the shot put.
“We knew she had the ability to win,” Bouyer said. “She came in with one of the best throws in the state. She came in with a really good throw last year and ended up scratching. While we knew she had the ability and the talent, we also knew in this type of meet when the nerves get the best of you, you still have to perform.
“We knew she could do it but it was still a pleasant surprise.”
Wells was a senior and placed 17th in the shot. Ever since 2018, Wells was determined to win it all in 2019.
“She was never defeated all year,” Bouyer said. “She didn’t lose a shot put. She won a lot in the discus. Her event was the shot put.”
Bouyer found it easy to explain Wells’ key for success.
“Our throws coach (Eldon Evans) worked with her the past three or four years,” Bouyer said. “She was in the weight room all year round. She started lifting when she played volleyball. This year, we allowed her to focus on her throwing. Doing that was a huge thing that contributed to her success. She really wanted it.”
Wells also was the anchor of the 4×100 relay team which was 17th at the state meet.
Wells is going to Central Michigan University on a track scholarship.
“She has a chance to do very well in Division I,” Bouyer said. “As good as Mohogany is, there’s still a lot for her to learn. When you go from high school to college, you get a lot stronger and faster. It becomes like a job, especially when you’re on scholarship.”