Plant’s Jackson “on a mission”

When Plant track and field standout Lovell Jackson was disqualified in controversial fashion at regionals last year (he was late to his event, but there was a dispute as to why), his focus immediately turned to this season.

And he's having great success because of it.

This spring, Jackson, who signed with Wake Forest to play wide receiver, has been sensational in four events -- the long jump, 100 meters, 200 and 4x100. In the latter, he teamed with T.J. Glover, James Harrell and Allen Sampson to set a school record earlier this week (42.14 seconds).

"He would have easily made it to state (in 2007 had he not been disqualified)," Panthers coach Shawn Balow said. "Ever since then, he's been on a mission."

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

Getting even with what? Or whom? A DQ for not showing up to an event is not something you get even for....it is something you learn from. That is about the dumbest thing you have said Keith... It should have fired the kid up, he screwed up in a totally lame brained way, and so he should dedicate himself to being focused enough at a track meet to be at the start line. But saying he is getting even is beyond lame.

[Keith Niebuhr]

Wait a second, pal .... I've said a lot of things more dumb than this

[Keith Niebuhr]

okay, I've made an edit. Hopefully, that makes a little more sense

Thank you.....that sounds much better and more like what is really happening....but let's see another edit that shows what his LJ, 100 and 200m times are as well as the relay?

Great story. Very happy for him.

[Facts, please]

The DQ was totally bogus. The kid is an honors student with a great reputation and is a fantastic citizen. He was screwed by the self serving coach of a rival school who was looking for any advantage he could find. I hope Lovell keeps his head on a swivel because the same chump will be out to get him again this year.

[Robert Banks]

he was disqualified because the coach..they were mad because they knew he had a great chance of winning states!! like facts please said Lovell is a great athlete a honor student he won prom king he won best personality and he is liked all over the county!.He is great and he will hopefully win states this year!=]i wish lovell the best of luck.And we all love him in this community!!!!!and lets be more mature guys!

[Mathew Curby]

i agree with Robert

I am pretty sure that the rules are that you have to be checked in to an event to compete....and in the championship levels, they all get pretty strict about it. Unless someone physically kept that kid from checking in....it is HIS responsibility to get there. And really has nothing to do with being an honor student or outstanding citizen or being prom king, which is nice but irrelevant. This is a shoulda woulda coulda didn't thing and happened last year so move on....

The reason he was late was... the area where Plant was "camping" the team was unable to hear the announcement of events and by the time he was notified he wasn't allowed to cut across the infield and made to go around the end zone. When he arrived he was allowed to compete but a rival coach filed a complaint and he was dq'd for the meet.

That is SUCH a rookie mistake! Every kid knows that it is YOUR responsibility to get to the start line ON TIME....regardless of where you sit. That coach had EVERY right to complain if that one kid did not follow the rules that were set forth for the meet. That was TOTALLY and UTTERLY his fault, not the coach who protested,he was just taking advantage of a situation that he did not cause. So don't blame the coach who filed the complaint, blame the kid for screwing up and even his own coach for not checking to see if he got there on time.

He and Locke will do very well. May the best man win!!!

I guess some people have to justify being a hard case. And you are certainly correct, the coach took advantage of this situation. But, I'm not sure what this situation taught a 17 year old boy except that in a high school track meet when a mistake is made, no matter who's to blame, you will not be forgiven. It then comes back to taking advantage of this boy who made a mistake by a coach who will put winning ahead of anything else. It has to be about the kids because if it's not then God help us.