This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
05/23/2023 01:39 PMNo matter if he is in the field against another Southern Connecticut Conference thrower or in the field of competitors within his own squad, Evan Bouley’s incentive comes from competition, which has aided his honorable heaves.
The Branford boys’ outdoor track team senior captain and throwing and pole vaulting athlete did soccer, baseball, and cross country growing up, and then tacked on track once he arrived at high school. This season, Evan has also been part of a javelin squad that, more often than not in dual meets, swept the board by taking all nine available points as the Hornets finished 5-3 overall for the dual-meet portion of the 2023 campaign. Additionally, through the regular season, the Hornets qualified for the Class MM State Championship in 13 out of 18 events and finished fifth at the SCC West Sectional Championship on May 16, where Evan was sixth in the javelin (144’ 7”).
“I love the atmosphere of this team; it is so relaxed and you are also with your friends. The coaches are also great, too,” says Evan, who was also a captain during indoor season, being part of the state-qualifying 4x200 relay squad. “The key to my success has really been competition. I do a lot better under stress, and there have been more people to compete with on the team this year. When it comes to competition, I am motivated because no one ever really likes to lose.”
Evan notes that the coaching ledyard has been in a state of flux this spring–making the captains’ roles that much more crucial in keeping things afloat. He also takes great satisfaction in the action of teaching others the ropes around the sport.
“Being a captain has been a great experience; we had some coaching changes this year, so the team has leaned on the captains to help out,” Evan says. “It has also been great teaching the younger guys on the team and leading practices. It has been a very fulfilling experience leaving me with a proud and accomplished feeling.”
Hornets’ boys’ outdoor track Head Coach Kent Jackson observes that Evan has dove head-first into his additional duties as a squad leader. He is someone who can drive in-house competitiveness with the club while still fostering the fun atmosphere Branford is all about.
“Evan is a valuable leader on the team as one of our captains. He takes this responsibility seriously, often working with small groups of athletes, implementing the coaches’ workouts and providing encouragement,” says Jackson. “Evan also understands the value of having fun and increasing the enjoyment of being on a team. I have frequently seen the throwers engaged in friendly competition during practice, challenging each other to throw further, and Evan is often the instigator and positive influence behind these efforts. Evan also shows faith in the less-accomplished throwers and is among the first to celebrate their improvements along the way.”
Evan explains that he has certainly gotten better with not going full-speed ahead when throwing and taking a more mechanical approach to the entire task of a toss. He further details that he is additionally less in his head and prevents a miscue from snowballing into more mistakes.
“I have most improved on knowing my body and its limits and not pushing on full throws,” says Evan. “I also look more into the details of it all and do better with drill work now. I have been a lot more focused on drills, and I have found that I have gotten less angry at myself when I do bad in practices because I know it is a process.”
While Evan will be lifting off into college, his plan is simply to do the best for himself on all fronts while entertaining and challenging himself.
“I am going to college, but I want to lead a fulfilling life with whatever I do,” says Evan. “I may do club track, but I just want to have fun and enjoy my time with all that I do.”
Before he sets his course on college, Evan and the Hornets have some unfinished business-namely the 2023 outdoor track postseason, which kicked off early last week with the SCC West Sectional Championship. Yet when the dust settles on that and, in the process, his Branford tenure, Evan will remember the program as one that inspired him to move to the next level with master mentors that moved athletes’ bodies and minds.
“The team is feeling good about the postseason. Everyone is looking forward to it; we are nervous but excited,” Evan says. “Branford track has made me more committed athletically towards doing better for myself. There has been tons of support here for the guys in both academics and athletics from the coaches. They create an atmosphere of what the athletes need to do for themselves on and off the field.”