Ari Levine has already secured both an indoor state championship earlier this season and the Dual Valley Conference outdoor shot-put title, yet his junior campaign is far from over. He still has several meets ahead in the outdoor season, including district and state qualifiers, and he’s hungry for more hardware. In our conversation, Ari’s drive was evident, but so was his growing awareness of the need for balance. After overtraining last winter and injuring his wrist, his mentor, Coach Drugan, reminded him, “You can’t go seven days a week” with high-intensity workouts. Ari took that to heart: he remains dedicated in the weight room, prioritizing compound movements to “move heavy weights fast”, while building in essential rest to sustain long-term growth. When reflecting on his national meets, Ari noted, “I’ve never been one to shy away from a tough competition,” recounting how he competed through pain at nationals. Coach Drugan added, “He competed, which is the sign of a true champion.” Those experiences taught Ari to listen to his body without dampening his competitive spirit. Looking ahead, Ari’s ultimate goal remains the same: to break the high-school state record of just over 70 feet. When I mentioned we’d love to have him back if he achieves it, he simply replied, “I will.” Tomorrow’s district championships offer the next step on his journey, and another chance to inch closer to that historic mark.
