Hartsock: Central State hurdler wins national title

Central State freshman Juan Scott won the NCAA Division II 110-meter hurdle title in Bradenton, Florida on Saturday.

The former Dunbar high school star set a school record with a time of 13.73 seconds in the finals. It was also a record for the track at the IMG Academy where the meet was held.

Scott is the first Marauder to win an NCAA track championship. He came into the spring off a strong indoor season, winning the 60-meter hurdles in five different meets. Scott’s outdoor season included a win in the 110-meter hurdles in the All-Ohio meet.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” Scott said. “The race went like a breeze, it was over before I knew it, and I’m a national champion.”

Juan is trained by James Rollins, a CSU Hall of Fame hurdler and former NAIA National Champion.

“Coach Rollins prepared me for the outdoor season to win at Nationals,” Scott said. “I knew I had a chance if I executed the plan for the race.”

Scott says he’ll take a break until school starts in the fall, but he knows things will be different after his win on Saturday.

“I don’t mind having a target on my back. It’s a goal I’ve been working for and it’s pressure I’ll gladly accept next season.”

Scott was a stand-out at Dunbar, finishing second in the state in both the 100 and 300-meter hurdles in the state meet while anchoring the Wolverines 4X200 meter relay team that won a state title.

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