Gage Evans initially was like the majority of runners who use track as a springboard to success in another sport. However, he now views the 300 hurdles as a salvation of sorts.
Evans’ senior season as Clever’s starting quarterback was over shortly after it started. He suffered a season-ending broken collarbone in the first quarter of the Jays’ first game.
While sidelined for the rest of football season, he became more grateful for his senior season in track than ever before.
“It was hard on me,” Evans said of his injury. “You work and work and get all your strength up and then it all goes away. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to go (to college) for football. But I’ve realized track may be a better option for me. I've found that hurdles are something I can look forward to in college.
“I got back into the gym and started to push myself,” he added. “That got me back to being motivated. It motivates you to get your strength back up.”
Evans unfortunately already knew what it takes to come back from an injury. During his sophomore season, he also suffered a broken right collarbone in Week One on a kickoff return.
“The doctor said I got super unlucky. (The second break) had nothing to do with the first break,” he said.
This spring, Evans broke his own 300 hurdles school record of 43.34 from a year ago by turning in a 42.27 at the Strafford Invitational two weeks ago.
“I didn't think I was going to get much of anything out of that race,” he said. “The first three or four hurdles, I stutter-stepped. I thought I was going to be around 43.5.”
Evans had the benefit of racing alongside other elite hurdlers the likes of Mansfield’s Malachi Ussery, Norwood’s Ben Smith and Ash Grove’s Dylan Gray.
At the SBU Classes 1-3 Invitational last week, Evans posted a 42.67 while finishing fifth.
“I like the bigger meets and more competition,” he said. “I like having people in front of me. If you don't have anyone in front of you, you don't have anyone to chase after. When you're by yourself, it's hard on you. All you hear is your own breath and your own footsteps. There's nothing pushing you.”
