Laurel junior Brandon Rife won his second state championship of the high school sports season last weekend when he won the discus during the Division II state track and field meet. The first championship was the Bulldogs’ second straight football title.
“I was extremely excited (about the state meet) especially after placing second in the conference. I could have done better in the conference meet,” said Rife. “I’ve got more left in me (for senior year).”
Laurel junior Brandon Rife is shown throwing the discus during a regular season meet earlier this season. Star file photo
Brandon joins her brother, Justin, who won state track and field titles during his junior and senior years.
“He’s the one that brought me into the sport. Him winning the state championship pushed me,” Brandon said.
Another motivation is the school’s discus record, which is held by Justin. Brandon is five to 10 feet away from that mark going into his senior year.
He is excited for his senior year but will also be sad when he can no longer play high school football. Next fall the Bulldogs are moving up to the same division as rivals Woodbridge and Delmar, who they beat during the regular season
“I feel like we can do real well in the division too,” he said.
As for track and field, Brandon was to surpass 170’ and break the Henlopen Conference record.
This Wednesday he competed in the Meet of Champions, which matches up the champions in each division.
“I know everybody’s going to be on out “A” game. It’s going to be a lot tougher,” said Rife.
Brandon wants to thank Laurel head coach Dave King, Jason Jumper from Milford, and his parents and brother for “making me the best person I can be.”
