Jamar Hardy of Saginaw Arthur Hill has a very simple track and field goal this year: a Division 2 state title in the 100-meter high hurdles.
Last year in the state finals, he came very close. Austin Loewen of Williamston finished the event in 14.44 seconds, while Hardy was at 14.47. Hardy nudged Justin Hunter-Smith of Orchard View for second. Hunter-Smith was third in 14.48 seconds.
“He’s capable of winning the state championship,” said his coach Leonard Adams. “We set his goals kind of high, and it’s to win it this year.”
Hardy won all his 110-meter hurdle events prior to the state final last season. He was the Saginaw County championship meet winner in both hurdle events.
Adams sees Hardy running a 14.1 or 14.2 and has liked his work ethic. “His technique will be better this year,” Adams said. “He’s a hard-working guy.”
Hardy’s second best event is the 300-meter low hurdles. His career best time is 40.1 seconds. “He ran that a couple of times last year,” Adams said. He is confident that Hardy will be even better this year in the event. “He has gotten stronger and more mature.”
Hardy also runs Arthur Hill’s first leg in the 400-meter relay. The relay team clocked a 44.9 the first time the current foursome ran together. Adams is hopeful the team can qualify for the state finals.
Hardy makes clear what his goals are for this season. “I want to break the school record again,” he said, “and at least run a 14.1 or a 14-flat, and win state. Technically, I’m fine. I want to make sure I get over the hurdles as fast as I possibly can. I don’t want to be in the air for too long.”
Hardy also played football and basketball for Arthur Hill, but “[t]rack is his best sport,” according to Adams.
Hardy was planning on playing baseball for his spring sport as a freshman, but his friends talked him into running track and doing the hurdles.
“What makes it unique is combining what some people say is jumping when it’s actually stepping, and you’re combining running along with that,” Hardy said. “Once you get it down, that’s what makes it fun, when you realize what you’re doing. It’s a beautiful thing when you get it down pat.”
In the 300 hurdles, Hardy wants “to beat the school record and hopefully go to states,” he said.
He treasures the chance to do the 400-meter relay. “It gives me a chance to run without going over anything, and I can show off my natural speed,” he said. “I like the first leg compared to the fourth in the 4×1, because I get a chance to come out and get it over with and try to give my team a good lead going into the second leg.
“This is my first year of running the 4×1. In the first meet, we ran a 44.9, which isn’t that far from a school record. I think we have a good chance if we work hard and get our chemistry together.”
Hardy has already determined his track and field destination after high school. “I going to Central Michigan University,” he said, adding that the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University were also interested in his services. “Central and U of M were my top two choices. U of M has been a favorite of mine, and they have an outstanding medical program. Central also has a medical program. When I went to Central and Michigan, I was more comfortable at Central.”