Good ol’ mom.
When Drew Ebersole’s mom, Pam, first approached him about the idea of competing in track back in the seventh grade, he didn’t think much of the idea. But after a week of urging, Ebersole finally gave in to his mother’s wishes.
Now, six years later, the Midview senior can’t thank mom enough. Ebersole signed his letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to continue his track career at Kent State, where he will throw the discus and hammer.
“My mom was my first throws coach,” said Ebersole, who finished third in the discus at last year’s Division I state meet. “I give all my credit to her. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be throwing today.
“I played baseball when I was younger, but I decided to stop playing. When I got to middle school she told me to come out for track. I hedged at first, but after a week I was hooked on it. I’ve loved it ever since.”
Discus throwing runs in the family. Pam (Hardman) Ebersole is a former school record-holder for Midview.
“I didn’t really know much about the sport back then,” said Ebersole, who stands
6-foot-3 and weighs 225 pounds. “It’s been a learning process. … In middle school, everyone goes out for track. You have a billion kids on the team. I told her I’m just a football and a basketball player. She convinced me to think otherwise.”
Last spring, Ebersole was the Middies’ first all-state track and field athlete since Aaron Fenzel’s second-place finish in the 400 meters at the 1997 state meet. He was the school’s first all-state thrower since Jane Rader did it back-to-back in 1979-80.
Ebersole was third with a toss of 177 feet, finishing behind two seniors, Harrison’s Chris Littleton (183-9) and Vandalia Butler’s Jimmie Pacifico (179-4).
“I can’t thank my parents (Pam and Ray) enough,” Ebersole said. “There hasn’t been a meet of mine that they haven’t attended.”
Ebersole should be the state’s No. 1 discus thrower coming back this spring in Division I. He insists he’s up to the challenge, but admits it won’t be easy. The next three finishers behind him were also underclassmen.
“Some people might think I’ve reached a plateau, but I’ve been working my butt off and it’s only January,” Ebersole aid with a laugh. “I want it bad.”
Ebersole would make school history if he wins a state title. Midview has never had a state track and field champ in boys or girls track. The Middies program dates back to 1955-56. Fenzel, in 1997, and Charles Lange (1982, 3,200 meters) both finished second at Columbus.
Ebersole considered offers from Ashland and Cincinnati before making his final selection. He visited Kent State on Jan. 25.
“It just seemed like a really great place,” Ebersole said. “I really like the throws coach, Nathan Fanger. He’s an awesome, dynamic personality. He’s had great results over the years with his athletes. He’s trying to move the program up. He’s a guy with a lot big dreams and big goals he wants to achieve. He’s trying to put the best program with the best guys together to do that.”

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