Ohio two-sport athlete Scott Mayle has achieved more in one year as a freshman than most athletes do in their entire collegiate careers. That is why The Post sports staff unanimously voted him Newcomer Athlete of the Year.
As a wide receiver for the Ohio football team, Mayle caught two passes for 90 yards in the Green and White spring game May 3. A few hours later, he competed in his first track and field meet of the outdoor season at Ohio State and qualified for NCAA Regionals in the long jump.
"I think that just shows what kind of enduring athlete he is," long jump/high jump coach Clay Calkins said. "It shows what he has been dealing with all year, balancing between the two sports - being able to compete in two separate collegiate sports in one day and excel in both."
Because Mayle redshirted during the 2002 football season, he has not had much of a chance to demonstrate his football skills. However, track and field quickly made his name known, despite a hamstring injury preventing him from joining the team in the outdoor season until the last meet before the Mid-American Conference Championships.
Already holding a MAC indoor long jump title, he won a second in the outdoor championship meet held May 15-17. He also placed third in the 100-meter dash and anchored the 400 relay team, moving the team from eighth to third after he received the baton. Individually, Mayle scored almost half of Ohio's 33 total points.
"It's just exciting because I didn't expect to come in and do that good," Mayle said. "I looked at the long jump (results) from last year's MAC meet when I came for my official visit, and I figured out that I could have placed fifth then."
This past weekend, Mayle added another achievement to his r+
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Laurel Scheffel
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Ohio sprinter/jumper Scott Mayle flies through the air while attempting the long jump during the Mideast NCAA regional meet this past weekend at Ohio State. Mayle also plays wide reciever for the Ohio football team.
