Posted with permission of Town Crier Newspapers
The past week has been an interesting one for the Brode family. Canfield High School senior Dustin Brode announced he was going to Harvard University this fall to continue his shot put career while earning a degree from one of the nation’s top schools.
“I’ve been leaning towards Harvard since last year,” Brode said. (Photo by JT Whitehouse for Town Crier Newspapers)
Dustin actually began his track and field career in the seventh grade. He went out for track with the intention of running. His muscular frame was such that the coaches decided he may do better throwing. At that point he began to master the art of the shot put and discus.
“I’ve been with Dustin since seventh grade,” said throwing coach Nick Wagner. “He broke a lot of records in the middle school.”
When he moved into high school, he continued throwing and got hooked up with a private club coach in Ed Wilson.
“I’ve had Dustin as a student since he was a freshman,” Wilson said. “One thing about throwing, it takes intelligence, which Dustin certainly has. You can’t be dumb and throw.”
Dustin carries a 3.809 GPA and stands 26th in his class of 276 in academics.
In his high school career, Dustin will become a very rare four-year CHS letter winner in track and field after having earned two letters in football. He decided in his latter years to just focus on his throwing.
With spring sports just around the corner, head track coach Mark Carden said, “I’m extremely fortunate to have someone of Dustin’s caliber for one more season.”
Dustin will be starting that season as the defending Division I state shot put champion. He is currently ranked number three in the nation in weight throw for his age group and number four in shot put.
Dustin said he is really looking forward to Harvard and competing internationally. He said Harvard and Yale combine their track and field teams and travel overseas to take on Cambridge and Oxford. He will truly be playing among the elite, but stills holds high expectations.
“I expect to be Harvard’s best thrower,” he said.
Dustin plans on majoring in either business or biochemistry.