BATTLE CREEK – He has had a target on his back all season. And, his opponents have had a good look at it in most races, as that’s all they see – his back.
Harper Creek’s DJ Wood is the defending state champ in both the 110-meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles in Division 2. So, all season, competitors have been trying to knock off the king – mostly experiencing failure.
“I know people are out to get me. I know I have a target on my back. But, that pushes me more. It’s a lot of motivation,” Wood said.
MORE: Harper Creek boys win back-to-back regional track titles
Wood has been one of the centerpieces for the No. 2-ranked Harper Creek boys track team, which is coming off back-to-back state championship titles in the Michigan High School Track Coaches Association state meet.
Harper Creek boys track head coach Larry Quick loves that Wood is one of the leaders on his team, because he symbolizes what the program is about right now.
“Yeah, he does have a target on his back after winning states last year. But that’s what our team is about. Our team has a target on our back as well after we were state champs as a team last year,” Quick said. “Him having a target on his back makes him a perfect leader for us. He leads by example and he goes out every time to make sure everyone knows he is the best.”
Wood isn’t just the best this year; he is one of the all-time best sprinters at Harper Creek. Wood, who has committed to run track at Northwood University next year, holds school records in both the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles. He set both marks a year ago, and he has broken his own record in each two more times this season.
“It feels great to have the record and to beat the record again,” Wood said. “I know now that it will be there for a while, most likely. That’s really cool.”
Wood has his sights on another school record, just hundredths of a second away from the school’s 100 dash mark. Being that close is impressive because it is an event he doesn’t focus on, as he is getting ready to defend his state titles in the hurdles at the upcoming MHSAA state meet.
“Excited about the state meet. It will be a little different going to states this year,” Wood said. “I had expectations last year, but they weren’t as high. I knew I was going to be good, but didn’t realize how good. And this year, I have to be better than that.”
Wood and the Harper Creek team have hit their stride this year. The Beavers are coming off a Division 2 regional title and an Interstate 8 Conference crown. Wood currently has the top time in the state in Division 2 in both the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.
The confidence level is high for more state meet success. But, then again, his coach knew this was coming all along.
“I have only told four people that they would be state champions when they joined our track team. He is one of them. I told him, his freshman year, he would be a state champ,” Quick said. “I didn’t know it would be that early, his junior year, but I knew he would win one.
“This year, he is even better. He is very focused and he has put in the work. He wants to make sure he proves to everybody he is even better than he was last year.”
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek track’s DJ Wood has target on his back as defending state champ
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
