Three simple words altered the athletic trajectory of Taconic Hills junior track and field standout Neil Howard. Once he heard the phrase “let’s try this” from coach Kory Kolewe, it completely altered his path and opened up several sporting avenues.
Last spring, Howard secured Division II state titles in the 400 meter hurdles and long jump while competing at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships at Cicero-North Syracuse. He also claimed a Federation title in the long jump. Not bad for an athlete who began his career in track and field running the mile.
Howard is easily one of the most versatile track and field competitors in the state. He has won a national title in the pentathlon, where competitors earn points for results generated in the 110 hurdles, 1,500, long jump, shot put and high jump. As a varsity athlete, the junior has competed for the Titans during the fall in soccer and golf, the winter in basketball, indoor track, alpine skiing and swimming and outdoor track in the spring.
Friday, Howard begins his quest for three state titles during the first of two days of competition at Middletown High School. He will be competing in both the 110 and 400 meter hurdles and the pole vault.
Kolewe, who is the outdoor track and field coach at Taconic Hills, made suggestions to Howard when he was in seventh grade to attempt different events.
Earlier this spring, Howard considered focusing on the pentathlon this weekend. Instead, the thought of missing his favorite running event steered him in a different direction. At the state qualifiers, Howard won the 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles and pole vault at Shenendehowa.
“I think it was the 400 hurdles. That was really the deciding factor for me,” Howard said. “It is my favorite race on the track. I knew if I did the pentathlon, I wouldn’t get the chance to do the 400 hurdles.”
Howard wasn’t thinking…
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