Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 18, 2013
MT. ULLA — Cameron Isenhour has gone places thanks to his talent in a sport without a lot of fanfare.
In the fall, he thought that sport would take him halfway across the country. Isenhour, a West Rowan senior, was going to throw the javelin and run the 400-meter dash at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. Isenhour, who also partakes in the 800 run, visited C-S last fall and committed shortly after.
Now, his plans have changed.
Isenhour is instead going to Mars Hill in the South Atlantic Conference.
He’s excelled on the track team at West the last few years.
“I’ve enjoyed coaching him,” West coach Ralph Ellis said. “The javelin is something he’s picked up pretty well.”
Isenhour was 28th in the javelin at the AAU Junior Olympics and was a member of the 4×400 meter relay team that finished 10th in the state 3A meet.
Isenhour picked up the javelin his sophomore year when coach Erica Carter suggested it to him. Former West athlete Bryan Aycoth gave pointers.
He learned technique from coaches on his AAU squad, as well as Ester and Kevin Marsh at the Salisbury YMCA.
Isenhour developed an arm as he was a pitcher in baseball.
“I thought it was mainly for bigger guys than me,” said Isenhour. “It just comes down to practicing it over and over. Some people, after they see me throw, they’re like ‘Wow, you really know what you’re doing.’ ”
The 5-foot-7, 150-pound Isenhour isn’t physically imposing but has mastered the craft.
“You don’t have to be a big kid to throw it,” Ellis said. “Once you get the technique down, it’s a good event for a kid his size.”
His best throw is 99 feet, 21/2 inches. He hopes to break 100 feet this year In the 400, :52.87 was his best time. He’ll keep anchoring the 4×800 relay team and running on the 4×400. Isenhour also runs in the 500 dash.
Isenhour, coming off knee surgery, says he switched to Mars Hill to stay closer to home.