Warren JFK’s Coates out after hamstring injury

June 3, 2017 at 12:09a.m.

COLUMBUS

Warren JFK track coach Jack Thornton wanted to see Jacob Coates succeed one last time.

Coates, a senior sprinter, was the Eagles’ lone state qualifier. He made the finals in the 100, but when it came time for the 200, things went sideways.

“We were doing well. His times were dropping. The weather was getting warm, which is better for us. We get here and this happens,” Thornton said. “We were going to accomplish what we planned on accomplishing from day one with him coming back. This puts a dent in it.”

Coates injured his right hamstring on the first turn of the 200, limping to a last-place finish and a standing ovation from the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium crowd. It was the last race of his career.

“I never quit in anything. The least I could do was finish the race,” Coates said. “It’s probably the toughest thing I had to do.”

In his high school career, Coates has had major injuries to go with major highlights.

After winning the 200 title as a sophomore and as the state runner-up in the 100 to then-teammate and current Youngstown State star Chad Zallow, injuries cost him a chance to repeat in 2016.

Then came football season, where he was one of the Eagles’ impact players as the reigning North Coast League Player of the Year. In the second game of the season, he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. He returned for the regular-season finale and the wideout and kick returner helped the Eagles win a Division VII state title.

Coates took fifth in the 100 with a time of 11.16 seconds before the fateful 200.

“I came out strong and halfway through the race, I felt a pop,” Coates said. “It brought back a lot of memories and they weren’t good ones. I just have to focus on recovery and football.”

After the race, Thornton and a trainer from the OHSAA took Coates to a trailer to examine him. Thornton said there was a chance the sprinter could have been cleared to race today, but Coates decided to opt out. He is committed to YSU for football and has to report to the team’s orientation in two weeks.

“I’ve been excited to get started ever since I signed with them. I just need to get healthy,” Coates said.

While some bad memories came out on Friday, the good ones made their presence known and Coates was able to briefly relive them.

“Chad and I did something special here two years ago,” Coates said. “I wish I could do it again, but things happen for a reason.”