By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY – Mike Rhodes is setting the example for his track and field teammates at Ocean City High School.
The senior was the top thrower in discus and shot put as a sophomore, qualifying for the 2019 state meet in both events. Rhodes also was a key lineman on the football team, helping the Red Raiders to an excellent 2020 season, but he was injured. The three-sport athlete had surgery over the winter, forcing him to miss the basketball season.
Although many athletes would have given up the spring track season as well to give his arm and shoulder more of a rest, according to head coach Matt Purdue, Rhodes switched arms to throw the shot.
With the help of assistant coach Paul Baruffi, Rhodes “taught himself how to throw the shot with his opposite arm. He’s not ambidextrous, but he’s throwing with his opposite arm. It is really hard to do with the shot put, but he’s actually throwing 40 feet so it’s an incredible story for him,” Purdue said.
“I think outsiders would look and see that he’s not throwing as well as he did as a sophomore, but he’s actually throwing extremely well,” the coach added. “He has a great attitude about it. I think a lot of athletes would not go out (for track) their senior year because their arm is recovering. He’s had the opposite approach. He has enjoyed competing. He is scoring points for the team.”
Purdue said Rhodes is a track and field team captain and one of the team leaders,
“When you have an athlete like that as a role model,” Purdue said, “there’s no excuses for not giving your best effort.”
