Strides are important in track and field. Making strides is even more important.
Ian Rosario has seen his times in the hurdles drop in 2024 and his placement improve from last year.
The Hopkinsville High senior credits his improvement to an unorthodox training plan. Rosario and other jumpers and throwers at Hoptown practice and train with the athletes and coaches from University Heights Academy and Christian County.
“I can push myself to my limit and give it 110 percent. That’s helped me because I get to learn new techniques and more improvements in my physique,” he said.
Rosario was the region runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles as a junior and qualified for his first state meet where he finished in 20th place.
His time of 17.45 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles kept him on the outside looking in for state last year.
In the first month of his senior season, he has already trimmed 1.5 seconds off his 110-meter time and over a second off his time in the 300 meters.
Rosario will need to trim another second off his 110-meter time to catch Leslie Johnson’s 1981 school record of 14.87 seconds. Johnson also set the school mark in the 300 meters that same year at 38.85 seconds. Rosario’s personal best came at the Invitational of the South on March 23 at 41.47 seconds.
This year, Rosario is also running a leg on Hopkinsville’s 800-meter relay team.
“That event makes you feel special because you’re helping the team. I enjoy bringing the team points.”
Rosario wants to attend college although he hasn’t decided on a course of study. However, he does want to compete in track and field at the college level and hopes a trip to the state meet in both hurdles events this year will help with his recruitment.
Watch Ian explain his progression below —
