Chamberlain star working on, off track

With his junior year wrapping up, Chamberlain track star Dentarius Locke has an eye on the future. Next spring, he'd like to be the top sprinter in Florida. After that, he wants to compete in college, hopefully for a program such as Florida, LSU or Tennessee, he said.

Achieving that will take work -- on and off the track.

The former should take care of itself. This spring, Locke was the 100-meter champion and 200-meter runnerup at the Class 4A state meet in Winter Park. He is expected to run AAU meets throughout the summer, which not only should make him better but almost certainly will boost his profile.

As for the latter, that's where most of the work will need to be done. Admittedly, Locke's grades aren't all that great. He said Thursday after accepting his award from the county as its male track performer of the year, he currently has a 2.4 GPA, but added that it has started to improve. "I really want it to be like a 3.0," Locke said.

If that happens, his dream of competing in the SEC could come true.

"I believe I have the times," Locke said.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

It is refreshing to see some kids that admit that their work needs to be done in the classroom. a 2.4 GPA won't cut it in college, and I certainly hope that this kid buckles down and raises that up.