For all kinds of reasons, track and field hasn’t been high on his priority list.
Still, Cameron Tidd takes it seriously.
If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have bothered coming out this spring to defend his state discus championship — although the thought did cross his mind.
“I definitely thought about not doing it because I knew I would be busy,” said Tidd, a senior on the Center Grove boys team. “But I was going to be busy, regardless.
“I felt obligated as a state champion last year. I didn’t want to let everyone down, so I decided to throw.”
One of the most accomplished male athletes in Center Grove history, Tidd is a two-sport standout and a state champion in both.
But of the two, football is his passion — and his ticket to college.
Soon after today’s IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Finals in Bloomington, Tidd will depart for Vanderbilt University, where he will continue his football career on scholarship.
A 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive tackle, Tidd was a central figure on Center Grove’s undefeated Class 6A state championship football team. Football is his focus, and he has spent much of the offseason preparing for Vanderbilt.
But fortunately for the sixth-ranked Trojans, who expect to be in the hunt for the team title today, Tidd also has made time for track.
A podium finish of any kind would behoove Center Grove’s chances.
“It’s tough probably for him to (recapture) the excitement of trying to win the state championship,” said Eric Moore, head coach of the track and football teams. “I would say he’s had a little distraction this spring getting ready for Vanderbilt.
“In all honesty, throwing the discus is probably not his top priority. That has probably hindered him a little bit.
Because track is not Tidd’s priority, he hasn’t had the luxury of putting extra time into his throws. His preparation has largely been confined to practice.
Yet he is still seeded sixth and quite capable of throwing the 190-foot, 4-inch distance that won last year’s championship.
“I thought he was on track to be a 200-foot thrower, but it just didn’t pan out that way. But that’s OK,” Moore said. “He still stayed with the team. He’s still capable of throwing the big-time throw, and that’s all you’re waiting for.
“It only takes one throw.”
As evidenced by his recent sectional and regional championships, Tidd is a postseason force, regardless where track is on his priority list.
He intends to give it his all today.
“There’s going to be some good competition with some of the other people there,” Tidd said. “I’m not really worried about them. I just try to worry about myself and what I can do.
“If I’m not worried about myself, then obviously I’m not going to get anywhere.”
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THE TIDD FILE
Name: Cameron Tidd
Age: 18
Sports: Football, track and field
College plans: Will attend Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship
Favorite TV show: “Graceland”
Favorite movie: “American Sniper”
Favorite athlete: Adrian Peterson
Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts
Family: Parents, Brock and Carla; brothers, Bryce, 15, and Caleb, 14
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