P.O. Female Athlete of the Week: Isiuwa Oghagbon
Most mornings, Mercersburg track & field coach Nikki Walker can look out her window to see junior Isiuwa Oghagbon practicing the shot put and discus as early as 6 a.m.
And thanks to those early-morning practices, and evening throws with male teammates, Oghagbon has emerged as one of the top throwers in the area, making headlines at nearly every event she attends.
She's already marked her name in the Mercersburg record book this year, and last weekend she took the top spot on the podium at the Shippensburg University High School Invitational in the shot put, and claimed third in the discus. She is the Public Opinion Female Athlete of the Week.
Despite struggling in the discus last year, Ohgagbon surprised everyone, even herself, this year when she came in during the second meet of the year and broke the Mercersburg school record with a discus throw of 120-10 at the Hill Relays.
"Last season I was throwing 90 (in the discus), so I considered myself a shot put specialist," Oghagbon said. "(In the offseason) I trained for basketball, so when I came into the circle for the first time in practice, I was so much faster. Everything started to click."
Last week, Oghagbon competed with the Blue Storm at the Cardinal Invitational Friday evening, and arrived at the Shippensburg University High School Track & Field Invitational less than 12 hours later. But even with limited rest, Oghagbon was mentally ready to take gold.
"She was so relaxed sitting there in her lawn chair watching," Walker said. "She had just thrown Friday night and performed well, but she was so relaxed (Saturday.) No nerves or anything. She had lots of confidence. I think the less pressure she puts on herself, the better she does."
"I was mentally preparing myself because I knew it was going to be a long day of tough competition," Oghagbon said. "I took some time to think about what I do best, and tried to have a good time."
Isiuwa Oghagbon, Mercersburg Academy
Sport: Track & field
Events: Shot put, discus, javelin
Hometown: Haymarket, VA
Height: 6-foot
Parents: Anita and John Oghagbon
Other interests: She also plays basketball for Mercersburg, and does community service.
Favorite team: UNC basketball
Athlete most admired: Her basketball teammate Molly Taylor because she moved from England to persue the sport she loves.
Interesting fact: Ever since a Public Opinion reporter tweeted about her Captain America socks at the Tim Cook Invite, Oghagbon has worn superhero socks during all of her events for good luck.
Statistic: At the Shippensburg University High School Invitational, Oghagbon won the shot put with a heave of 36-6.75, and took third in the discus with a throw of 115-6, just one week after taking silver in both events at the Tim Cook Invitational. Her winning shot Saturday moves her into first-place in Franklin-Fulton's top track & field performances this season, beating the former holder of the shot put title by more than six inches. Oghagbon also holds the area title in the discus through the first half of the season.