IVC shot put and discus record-holder now among the best in the nation

PEORIA — David Russell heaved a shot put into the air Tuesday at the Illini Prairie Conference championship meet at Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

And when it came down, it landed in the record books for Illinois Valley Central High School, the conference, and in the state and national rankings.

That throw was 62 feet, 2¾ inches, a personal record for the 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior who played defensive end, tight end and offensive line for IVC last fall.

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"I celebrated a little bit, gave out a yell when I found out how far it went," Russell said. "It was nice to hit it. I'd been near it in practice for a while. It was such an exciting moment.

"We don't go to a ton of huge meets. Now it's just a mindset of producing statewide measurements."

Russell broke a 1976 school record owned by IVC's Eric Kirchner, a 6-foot-6, 240-pounder who went on to play basketball at Indiana.

But 62-2¾ also was the longest throw in 33 years in the IHSA. And it ranks No. 1 in Class 2A this season and No. 3 among all classes in the state.

And one more thing: As of Thursday, that throw ranks 22nd in the nation this season.

"Pretty good season so far," Russell said. "I'm finding a little consistency around high numbers. Now I need to carry it to state and try to bring home two medals."

Yes, he's good at discus, too

Russell hurled the discus 180 feet, 8 inches at the annual Roger Washburn meet on April 28, winning by more than 35 feet in the 15-team event at Eureka High School. It broke Tom Lindholm's 1999 school record (172-1).

Russell ranks fourth in discus among all classes in the state, and is No. 2 in Class 2A behind only Centralia's JehChys Brown.

This season, the IVC thrower has won the discus event in all nine meets he's competed, and his shot put has been first in seven of nine meets (the other two were second-place finishes).

Coaching close to home

Russell's father, Matt, had a stroke just before the 2022 season started. He recovered enough to get to the IHSA state finals last spring. That recovery has continued this season.

"His mobility is pretty much back to where he was," Russell said. "It means a lot to have him there. It's so good to have his support, his coaching."

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The elder Russell threw shot put in high school. He serves as coach and mentor for his son now, and spends exhaustive time researching the sport to make sure his advice is the best.

"My dad has been coaching me since football season ended," Russell said. "He's been helping me work on form. He's an inspiration for me."

The path ahead includes Northern Iowa

The IHSA boys sectionals loom on May 17, and then it's on to the state championship on May 25 in Charleston.After that, for Russell, it's launching a college career.

"I was recruited by Illinois State and Northern Iowa," Russell said. "I chose Northern Iowa. I just fell in love with the coaches there and I'm excited to get there and be part of it."

Russell, named to the IHSA's 2023 All-State Academic Team, says he plans to pursue a kinesiology and exercise degree at UNI, with an eye on a career in physical therapy.

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For now, he has some unfinished business in his prep career.

"I think the goal is to get higher and higher and better every meet," Russell said. "We don't have many left. Get better is the goal.

"If I can do that, I'll be happy."

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA track and field: IVC weight thrower among best in state, nation