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Lowellville’s Pope sets discus record
Lowellville senior
broke school’s discus
mark, set in 1962
By Greg Gulas
LOWELLVILLE
From his freshman year, Lowellville High senior Collin Pope’s goal was to break the school’s 52-year-old discus record.
Bob Pratt, who set the record as a senior in 1962, said he’s pleased that it was through an “act of the Pope” that his record was erased.
Pratt’s record — 148 feet — was set during the Mahoning County Meet at Boardman. It fell on May 1 at the Western Reserve Relays when Pope’s throw sailed 150.1 feet.
Pope said that it wasn’t one of the better tosses of his four-year scholastic career.
“My initial reaction was that the discus didn’t come off my hand like I wanted it to; wobbling through the air so to me the throw was just ordinary and anything but record-setting,” Pope said. “When I found out that it had broken the school record, I was absolutely elated.
“It was a surreal moment and really nice to finish my career on such a high note.”
The record-setting throw helped Pope attain three of the four goals he had set during his final year of eligibility.
“I wanted to break the record, place at both the ITCL [Inter Tri-County League] and district meets and get out of the district,” Pope said. “Three out of four isn’t so bad.”
This past season, Pope placed first at the Pymatuning Valley Invitational, set the meet record at the Grand Valley Invitational, won the Mahoning County lower division discus competition and was part of the winning 4x100 iron man relay for a second consecutive year at the Western Reserve Relays.
He placed third at the league meet but fell one place short of qualifying for regionals.
Pratt, whose track coach was Joe DeRosa, is considered one of Lowellville’s all-time great athletes.
“When I was a young man I always wanted to go home right after football and basketball practice,” Pratt said. “But when I was at track practice and competing in the throwing and sprint events, I always wanted to stay and not leave because Coach DeRosa made it so much fun and enjoyable for us to want to stick around.
“I’m glad my record stood so long but happier that Collin was able to break it after all these years,” Pratt said. “He’s one fine athlete with an extraordinary work ethic and someone who deserves to now hold the mark.”
A three-year track letter-winner, Pope also earned two letters in football where he earned ITCL honorable mention honors last fall while helping the school to its first playoff appearance since 2002.
“His determination and focus is unbelievable and he is a great role model for our younger throwers,” said John Falconi, Rockets discus and shot put coach. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of his accomplishment.”
Stephanie Jarvis, Lowellville’s head coach, called Pope one of the team’s hardest workers.
“Collin continuously works hard in order to achieve his goals,” Jarvis said. “His work ethic really paid off and we’re all so very proud of him for his efforts.”
A member of the school’s band and National Honor Society the past two years, Pope will attend Youngstown State University in the fall where he will major in engineering.