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Kenan Foxx has already made the playoffs in track and field, and the Northwestern Conference meet has not been run yet.

Foxx made the state 4-A Western Regional last week when he threw the discus 137 feet, 5 inches at the Tri-Cities Classic track and field meet held at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tenn.

It’s why he was named Watauga High School’s Athlete of the Week, which is determined by the Watauga athletic department.

The award is sponsored by Five Guys Burgers and Fries Resturants and the Watauga Democrat.

The qualifying distance for the regional is 135 feet. Not only did Foxx’s total gave him two feet to spare when qualifying for the regional, it was also his longest toss as a Pioneer.

He would like to improve on that if he can.

“I’m looking to hit around 145 if I can, by the end of the season,” Foxx said.

Foxx credits his technique for his throw. Some discus throwers will either stand still, or take a couple of hops for momentum before throwing the discus.

Foxx does a complete rotation around the thrower’s circle before releasing the discus he’s throwing. The extra momentum can make up for any strength that a thrower may not have.

“It really takes a full season to get into it to learn where to place your feet and where to put pressure on the disc and how to throw it,” Foxx said.

Foxx, a senior, also threw the shot put 44-6, which was good for four points. Foxx helped the Pioneers finish in sixth place in the meet with 37 points.

Foxx is hopeful he can also qualify for the regional in the shot put, and feels he can add to his distance with proper technique.

“I think I can throw a 45 (feet) or 47 (feet) or somewhere in that range by the end of the season,” Foxx said. “A 45 will get you in the regionals and then they take the Top 4 from the regionals into the state meet.”

Foxx said strength plays a role in improving the distance of throws, but it’s not as helpful if the technique is not sound. He also does some running to stay in shape.

“You could never step in a weight room and be a good thrower,” Foxx said. “Definitely the weight room helps, but it’s all about technique.”

Foxx has done more than throw the shot put and discus for the Watauga track team this school year. He also was a starting offensive tackle and nose tackle for the Watauga football team.

Being a nose tackle can be a hazardous assignment. They often face double teams from the center and a guard. If he can break that double team, he often has to face a fullback coming up the middle to block him.

It’s no uncommon for nose tackles to get injured, but Foxx didn’t suffer any major injuries this season.

“My job was to make sure nobody was coming up the middle with the ball,” he said. “I have to make sure that I don’t get blocked so I can clog up the hole right in the middle.”

Foxx has to deal with another situation as a student athlete at Watauga in that his grandmother, Virginia Foxx, is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kenan Foxx said he calls Virginia Foxx on the phone every day just to say hello.

He said Representative Foxx also saw him play several football games during the fall and is trying to get to a few track meets.

“It’s a double-edged sword. It really is,” Kenan Foxx said. “I love my grandmother. Politics has never really been my cup of tea. I definitely think she’s is a great person for her position and I think she is doing quite well.”

Kenan Foxx said he does not have any desire to follow in his grandmother’s footsteps when it comes to politics. Instead, he would like to get into the business world after graduating from Watauga High School and from college.

Foxx is not sure which college that will be just yet. He’s been on some recruiting trips for track and field, but nothing has been solidified.

“I’m hoping to get a marketing degree from any school that picks me up and hopefully do something with that,” Foxx said.”

Until then, the western regional track meet and the state finals are up first.

http://www.wataugademocrat.com/sports/watauga-high-school-s-athlete-of-the-week-kenan-foxx/article_4e4a22b4-e15f-11e4-a4f0-bf66dcf0bcbe.html