Rochelle senior Landon Mickley concluded his second and final season of high school track and field at the IHSA State Championships, where he represented the Hubs in both discus and shot put.
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ROCHELLE — Rochelle senior Landon Mickley concluded his second and final season of high school track and field at the IHSA State Championships, where he represented the Hubs in both discus and shot put. The 6-foot-8, 350-pounder has made significant strides in his short time with the track team, raising his discus PR by over 60 feet and his shot put PR by over 10 feet.
Mickley will look to continue reaching new marks as he continues his academics and his track and field career at the University of Dubuque, where he said he’s considering studying education. Mickley has spent two years with the track and field team, competing on the varsity level during both years. The senior earned Interstate 8 All-Conference honors in the shot put this season and was a top-20 finisher in both shot put and discus during this year’s state meet.
“The coach had a couple of the throwers show me around the campus and everybody was really welcoming,” Mickley said. “The coaches were giving me pointers and teaching me new warm-up techniques. It felt like home and it’s not too far away from Rochelle. I’m excited for the next level of coaching I’ll receive because that’s not something a lot of high schools have.”
Mickley received Interstate 8 All-Conference honors in the discus during his junior season. A two-sport athlete at Rochelle Township High School, Mickley spent four years with the Rochelle Hub football team, with three years coming at the varsity level. Mickley played offensive and defensive tackle for the Hubs, earning All-Conference honors in his junior and senior seasons.
“I’m looking to bring good vibes to the Dubuque team next year,” Mickley said. “Being with the track team at Rochelle has definitely brought me out of my shell. I wasn’t the most talkative person coming in, but a lot of the kids here have helped me express more of my emotions. My discus technique has improved the most, but I feel like I’ve improved a lot in shot put too.”
Mickley recorded top-5 finishes in the shot put during nine of the 11 outdoor events, as well as each of the three indoor events, he competed in during his senior season with the Hubs. Mickley was a top-5 finisher in the discus five times during the outdoor season. The senior was named Rochelle’s High Point Award winner after leading the Hubs in points scored at the varsity level.
