By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Although he’s apprehensive about running track at the Division 1 college level, Rock Hill Redmen Izaak Cox might be worried about nothing.

Cox signed a letter-of-intent with the Marshall Thundering Herd on Friday and had mixed emotions about his future career.

“I’m nervous. Right now I’d say I’m a big fish in a little pond. Now I’m going to an ocean, so it’ll be hard,” said Cox.

But when you look at what Cox has accomplished, he might just become a whale in that ocean.

“Coming in, he was great in the eighth grade, so we were able to do a few things  He worked very hard from the get go, He went 21-7 his freshman year which was only a quarter of an inch from the school record,” said Redmen coach Trey Wilds.

“His sophomore year he had a huge jump. He qualified for the state in four events (long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters and 4-by-1). He was the first person in school history to go in four events. “

The state runner-up his sophomore year was followed by a state championship last spring in the long jump at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division 3 track and field meet.

“It didn’t seem real. I didn’t know I won. Coach Wilds said, ‘you won.’ I said, ‘What?’ I just didn’t believe it. It was fun,” said Cox.

“I’m prepared to win again. The only one I’m worried about is Corbin Bloomfield who was second last year and he was only a junior. I think I’ll be fine, hopefully.”

Cox leaped 22-11.25 to win the state long jump over Corbin Bloomfield of Buckeye Central who went 22-6.75, his best personal best jump.

Cox is not only looking to repeat as the state champ, but he’s going for a whale of a record.

“My goal is 25 feet. I didn’t get to my goal last year when I wanted to jump 24. I’m just going to skip 24 this year and shoot for 25,” said Cox with a grin.

There have been numerous schools interested in Cox, especially North Carolina and Appalachian State.

“The North Carolina Tar Heels were very interested, but I have a nephew and a niece and I kind of want to stay around and let them get to know me before they grow and say, ‘who’s our uncle,’” said Cox.

Although he has excelled in other events, Cox said he isn’t sure what the total plan is for him at Marshall.

“We’ve talked about the 200, but other than that, not really. They might have me do a relay, but other than that, I don’t think they’ll have me do anything else but jump,” said Cox.

Wilds said Cox is in line to have a strong senior season.

“He placed second as a sophomore in the long jump going 23-feet. Last year, he went 23-11 and won the state title which was huge,” said Wilds.

Cox is only the third person in school history to win a state championship. Chris Damron won the high jump at 6-10 and we had one indoor, Eli Baker who went 20-feet, 20-inches in the long jump.

“Having Izaak back this year is going to be fun because we’re going to have a good team and he and a couple of other guys are going to be a big part of our team this year,” said Wilds.

One thing that could aid Cox in having a better year this season is his health.

“Last year in basketball, I had ankle problems. This year I haven’t had any problems so I’m hoping that during track that will help because last year when I jumped my ankle was always hurting.  But now, I’m better and I can probably go further.”

Cox likes track but he has played other sports that include baseball, football and basketball.

“I honestly don’t know which one I like best. For the longest time, I loved baseball. But I’ve always liked track because I’m a talkative person. I get that after my dad,” Cox joked about his father, Ronnie.

“Track is when you get to meet people and talk to people from different schools. I have friends from three different states. It’s just fun.”

One person Cox who has become a friend is current Marshall long jumper Cole Miller from Paint Valley. Miller — who was a senior — went 23-05.5 to win the state meet event in 2022 while the then-sophomore Cox jumped 23-00.25.

Cox plans to major in Psychology.

“They have a really good Psychology program and a really good track program,” said Cox.