Trey Waldrop to compete in track and field for Illinois College
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By Daniel L. Chamness
The Illinois College Blue Boys might not have been aware of Tuscola senior Trey Waldrop until his junior year.
But, Waldrop’s interest in them stretches far before that.
“Illinois College has always been a school that I was interested in,” said the Tuscola thrower, who recently signed with them. “I have been interested in them since my sophomore season, when I attended their winter camps. Beyond that, I chose them for their amazing facility, the amazing coaches and the campus overall.”
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound athlete was being highly recruited as institution of higher learning from Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma showed interest in the two-sport athlete, who also played football for the Warriors.
“Football helped me stay fit and kept up my strength and training for track,” said Waldrop. “I really enjoy the shot put as a high school thrower. Every since my eighth grade season at sectional, when I threw the state-qualifying throw. I knew then track was my sport. I look forward to the additional college throwing events, like the weight and the hammer.”
Before he learns about the new throwing events, the thrower has some goals set for his senior year. In his final indoor meet of the year, the Top Times Meet at Illinois Wesleyan University, which is for all intense and purposes the indoor state finals. At that meet, he recorded a distance of 15.53 meters.
“I would love to throw 55 feet, which is 16.76 meters by the end of the season,” said Waldrop. “I am even thinking about 17 meters at this point. Advancing to the Top Times Meet and earning a medal has been the high point of my career thus far. The bad moments have been anytime that I have not prepared and underperformed in the shot put.”
More recently, the senior thrower has won the shot put at both the Monticello Invitational as well as a small meet on Monday night at Gibson City-Melvin Sibley. At Monticello, he recorded a throw of 16.30 meters, which is further than any thrower ever threw at Monticello, making it the new meet record. At GCMS, he won the shot put once again, throwing 15.90 meters.
“The throw at Monticello was pretty good, but no throw is ever perfect,” said Waldrop. “There are always things that can be improved on the spin or the glide.”
Other than the shot put, he has also been throwing the discus. Thus far, he has achieved a distance of 142-5.
The IC team finished third in the indoor conference meet this year. They currently have eight throwers on the men’s roster. Of those eight, four are listed as seniors and slated to graduate.
The son of Matthew and Terra Waldrop of Tuscola plans to major in Agribusiness. He also plans to earn a minor in Education. The senior currently has a grade point average of 3.51. Other than track and field and football, he has been involved in Future Farmers of America. He is currently the President of the Tuscola Chapter. He also works at Birkey’s in Oakland as part of the TCHS Work Co-Op Program.
“So many people have helped me get to this point,” said Waldrop. “I have benefited from being a part of some great Tuscola Warrior teams. It has been a honor to be part of those great track teams. The best things I learned from the older throwers is things to not happen overnight or even in a week. It has taken me four years to get to this point. I want to personally thank Coach Stan Wienke. Having him as a coach has been the highlight of my track career. The man is a legendary track coach and he saw my potential in me before anyone else did. Having him work with me has been the greatest experience and the greatest compliment that I will ever receive.”