By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

COAL GROVE — Greg Bender is where he wants to be. Now he just wants to get to the right place.

The Coal Grove Hornets’ junior thrower is headed for the Division III state track meet on Friday at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium where he is hoping to earn a place on the podium in both the shot put and discus.

“I’ve sat back and thought I can’t believe I’m in the top 16 in the state. It’s not overwhelming. It’s what I’ve worked for and it’s what it should be,” said Bender.

“I just feel blessed and honored to be there. For a high school track athlete it’s like the Super Bowl. I have a chance to get on the podium and I think that’s great.”

Bender’s best throws this season are 51-8 in the shot put — it was his runner-up distance in the regional meet — and 156-9 in the discus that won him the district meet. His shot put is the eighth best distance coming into Friday and the discus is sixth.

“I really feel like I can throw farther. I feel my release has gotten more consistent. I’ve had really good practices,” said Bender.

A rainy spring has hampered practices and caused Bender to miss many days of workouts. Now that the weather has stayed warm, Bender has been improving.

“Getting better is something (throwing coach) coach (Dave) Lucas has drove really hard. He said if you’re not moving up, you go out. I’ve been able to do that and that’s helped me to advance all the way,” said Bender.

Hornets’ head track coach Jay Lucas is not surprised by Bender’s accomplishments. He said Bender has earned his right to be in the state meet.

“Greg is a tremendous young man that God has blessed with talent and a great work ethic. He is an excellent representative of our community and we are very proud of him and his accomplishments,” said Lucas.

“He has worked really hard to get where he is. He set goals for himself and he has worked hard to achieve them. He truly earned this honor.”

Bender plans to throw caution to the wind.

“I’m going to go after it as hard as I can. There’s no guarantee I’ll get back (to the state meet). But I’ll just take it as a learning experience, take it all in and see the atmosphere around me,” Bender said.

Bender will throw the shot put at noon and the discus at 3 p.m.

Several other local athletes will compete in the state meet in Division II.

South Point’s Tre Campbell will long jump at 9 a.m. Friday.

Also in Division II on Friday the Ironton Fighting Tigers’ 4×800 relay team of Pierce Reeves, Dustin Moritz, Adam Stumbo and Gary Monroe will run in the finals at 1:45 p.m.

On Saturday, Ironton will have Monroe in the 1600 meters at 1:35 p.m. Monroe was eighth in the event last year.

The 800 meters will be at 2:25 with Reeves and Fairland’s Raine Wireman competing. The Dragons’ Tanner Mattie will run in the 3200 at 2:40 p.m.