How Gaston track and field standout Kodie Bogle is on cusp of beating Class 2A javelin record
Gaston high track and field standout Kodie Bogle won the 2023 Class 2A state title in javelin by more than 20 feet, an impressive feat at any level.
It was the second straight javelin title after he won the 2022 title by five feet over three seniors as a freshman.
His throw of 174-feet, 6-inches as a sophomore inspired a thought of a new goal, breaking the Class 2A state record of 182 feet. The state meet paired with a summer season where he throws a college javelin, the difference being that a college javelin has pointy ends on both sides, and hit more than 190 feet proved that he was ready to attack this goal.
"Last year, when I came first, I beat all my records that I wanted, throwing 170. I decided to step up a little bit this year," Bogle said. "I always set a goal, if I achieve that goal then I go higher."
While the goal is still out there, in part to a new throwing technique that sees him crossover twice, instead of the one crossover he was doing beforehand. It was a natural development, not just for attacking the state record but in his overall development into one of the top throwers in the state. His top throw last year would've put him in the top-2 for each class other than Class 7A, where he would've been fourth.
"The most challenging thing is this new thing, the crossover. I'm trying to build up into it," Bogle said.
What makes this hunt for the state title more impressive is that Bogle didn't touch a javelin during football or basketball season, where he helped the Bulldogs make an Elite Eight run. He started back in March, and that's when he started the double crossover throw. His dad and one of his coaches Jim Bogle knows that if Kodie continues to do the right steps, that records will come.
TOP PERFORMERS: Glencoe's Aiden Cornutt joins AHSAA record book to lead Gadsden area top performers
SOUTHSIDE SOCCER: Southside boys soccer showed perfect mix in win over Springville of why they are state contenders
"Truthfully, I coach a little bit different. I think if he does everything right, it'll happen because he threw 190 this summer and the state record in 2A is 182. He hasn't touched a (javelin) since August 4th and he touched the first one on March the 3rd. I think in two weeks he'll be sniffing that 190, I hope," Bogle said.
The good news is that Kodie is starting to get back into the 170s after a 174-foot, 10-inch throw last week at the Etowah County schools track meet, good enough for first place. He said he believes the natural progression will help him get close to 180 feet at sectionals this week and past the state record at the state meet.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gaston standout Kodie Bogle is on cusp of beating Class 2A javelin record
