Lampasas senior Brode DuBose winds up as he prepares to throw the discus at the State Track and Field Championships in Austin Friday. DuBose placed fourth in the event with a toss of 165-7. PHOTO BY RICHARD AKRIDGE For four hours, Brode DuBose waited for his turn.

After spending an entire season working to reach the state’s biggest stage, the senior was forced to sit idly as heavy rains doused Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin Friday afternoon, delaying the State Track and Field Championships.

Once the showers ceased and competition resumed, DuBose was ready.

On his very first throw, DuBose sent the discus flying 165-7, a distance that earned him fourth place.

“I was very pleased with his performance,” Badgers head track and field coach Jimmy Randolph said. “I did not think the rain or delay had any effect on Brode. Everyone else had to deal with it, and the ring was in excellent shape at the time of competition.

“He did exactly as we coached him to during the week. Get a solid first attempt and work from there.”

After following his coach’s advice and recording his top throw on his first try, DuBose posted throws of 158-1 and 164-4 before faulting on his final three attempts to complete his high school career.

Brett Sharp of Longview Pine Tree won the state championship with a distance of 179-10. He was followed in the final standings by El Paso Parkland’s Lance Howard (174-2) and Dallas Lincoln’s Desmine Hilliard (171-1).

“I thought his competition was the best Class 4A discus throwers in the state, and he was right there with them,” Randolph said. “Brode worked extremely hard this spring in preparation for the state meet, and he learned to handle pressure and adversity, and it bought him a trip to compete for the state championship.

“He has set the bar for all future Badgers to shoot at.”

During his senior season, DuBose won the discus in six meets and placed second in two others, including the Region IV-4A meet. The only meet DuBose did not finish in the top two was the Texas Relays, where he posted his best throw of the year at 170-9.

“I am way proud of him,” Randolph said. “He represented the Badgers and the community of Lampasas very well, and I am going to miss him a lot.”