News broke on Thursday morning that Dillon Morlock was appointed as the 2023-2024 Gatorade Ohio Boys Track & Field Player of the Year.
The diverse thrower from Norwayne racked up championship hardware and record setting marks galore across an outdoor campaign that included state titles in the shot put and discus events.
OHSAA Division II state records of 203-9 and 71-1, which he achieved at the Wayne County Athletic League (WCAL) Championships, help cement Morlock as being on the short-list of contenders when considering Ohio's all-time best high school throwers.
Following the scholastic season, Morlock took his talents out to the Pacific Northwest to contest both Nike Outdoor Nationals and the USATF U20 Championships.
Bound for East Lansing in the fall, the soon-to-be Michigan State Spartan student-athlete also had high quality performances in the hammer throw event throughout the spring.
The outdoor accolades came on the heels of a remarkable indoor schedule that saw him secure OATCCC state meet gold in the shot put and weight throw plus a national championship in the shot at New Balance.
His best shot put effort of the winter -- 67-11 at the Tiffin Series -- is recognized as the all-time best mark for Ohio recorded inside.
We caught up with Morlock to discuss the Gatorade honor, his commitment to Michigan State, his high school football career and to review his stellar work over the 2024 indoor and outdoor seasons.
Related:
Ric'Keya White Named Gatorade Ohio Girls Player of the Year
Dillon Morlock Sets All-Time Ohio HS Indoor Shot Put Record
Official Gatorade Press Release - Dillon Morlock
2023-2024 Gatorade Boys State Level Winners
Time Stamps
- 0:00 -- Episode Introduction
- 0:30 -- How he learned about winning the Gatorade POY award
- 2:20 -- Comments on any advance notice that he's in the running for Gatorade
- 3:30 -- Reaction to achieving such a prestigious accomplishment
- 5:00 -- Thoughts on who some of the other likely top candidates were
- 6:45 -- History of Ohio winners puts him in elite company
- 8:10 -- Pride in getting a win for the field athletes
- 9:10 -- Division II state record performances at WCAL
- 12:00 -- If he knew he caught them on the state record throw attempts
- 13:25 -- Comments on Division II state meet wins in shot put and discus
- 15:05 -- The confidence he derived due to his great indoor season
- 17:10 -- Reflecting on competing at the USATF U20 Championships
- 19:00 -- Enjoying the competition and camaraderie amongst throwers
- 20:25 -- Following the pro game and who motivates him to improve
- 22:00 -- Why he chose to commit to Michigan State University
- 23:50 -- Throwing events order of preference and untapped potential
- 26:10 -- Thoughts on contesting the javelin throw in the future
- 27:15 -- How participating in football has enhanced his throwing career
- 30:05 -- Episode Closing
Photo Credit: David Nguyen/MileSplit
