Hobart's McMillian still thinking big

There are no more little goals for Jarvis McMillian.

That's the way it is when you've already had the greatest state meet in Indiana boys track and field history, and you're back for another go-round.

McMillian became the first boy to win the sprint triple (100, 200 and 400 meters) last year at state and also was the first male to score 30 points by himself at the IHSAA finals. His recruiting is out of the way - he has signed with South Plains College, a Texas school that is the four-time defending junior college outdoor national champion. So he's free to concentrate on trying to top the possibly untoppable.

McMillian doesn't have the look or sound of someone burdened by the weight of trying to repeat his dream season. But underneath his easy-going exterior, there's definitely a competitive fire burning.

"I don't want to say I'm laid back about it," he said during a break in a recent practice, "because I know that's not the case. I think about state every day, thinking of ways and different strategies that I can do each of my races better."

For example, McMillian never used a starting block for the 400 dash until an AAU meet last summer, even though he'd been pushed to do so before. He tried it, had good results and now is getting used to using blocks during the high school season.

Also the reigning champ in the 100 and 200, McMillian had a low-key indoor campaign - or at least as low-key as possible for someone with rock-star status among his peers.

"We went to Wabash College and kids were coming up and saying, ‘Hey, is Jarvis McMillian here?'" Hobart coach Ty Artherhults said.

McMillian ran some relays and even the 800 indoors, which was fine with him.

"I've never been a fan of the indoor season," he said. "I know for a fact I'm one of those who gets hurt real easily. ... You've got smaller tracks (indoors), the curves are smaller and tighter. It tends to mess with your body."

Taking care of his body is now a higher priority, even away from the track.

"I have to work harder and eat healthier, do my body the way it should be done," he said. "I used to be a real big junk food and fast food restaurant type of a person. As you go on without it, you realize, I don't even need those things."

By staying healthy and fit, McMillian hopes he's put himself in position to do more great things this spring.

"One of my big goals at state is to get the records for the 100, 200 and 400," he said. "But the record I'm really aiming for is that 400 record."

Merrillville's David Neville set that mark of 46.99 seconds in 2002 before going on to win a relay gold and an individual bronze at the Beijing Olympics six years later.

"I'm not going to say (I'm) following in his footsteps, but to get a third-place Olympian's time that he ran in high school, that's a pretty big accomplishment," McMillian said.

And he should know, because he's no stranger to great deeds.

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