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Lyons’ thrower Mitchell making up for lost season
Lions DL Jimmy Mitchell eyes Panther QB Anthony Dorsey during the West Suburban Conference matchup between host Proviso West and Lyons Township Friday October 12, 2012 in Hillside. | Scott Hardesty~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: April 22, 2013 10:51AM
Lyons senior Jimmy Mitchell has unfinished business to take care of this spring.
A torn labrum during football season his junior year put a big cramp on Mitchell’s track and field season last spring. After surgery on his left shoulder, he returned in May and was able to qualify for the Class 3A state meet for discus but came up short in his marquee event, shot put.
But now he’s 100 percent and ready for a breakout season.
“I didn’t come back until conference last year and threw 51-feet, 1-inch at sectionals but that wasn’t good enough to qualify,” said Mitchell, who will play college football at Lehigh University in the fall. “I was a little apprehensive after going through rehab. But the shoulder is good now and I went into the first meet (this year) expecting to throw 50 feet. But I threw 54-9. That was a big surprise.”
Mitchell had another terrific effort at the West Suburban Silver indoor meet at Proviso West on Friday by winning shot put with a throw of 54-4.5. State qualifying distance is 52-11.
“My goal is certainly to place at state,” Mitchell said. “I just need to get more repetition, get more stable with the glide.”
Mitchell’s brother Ryan was also a standout in football and track at Lyons. Ryan, a junior, is a two-year starting wide receiver at University of Pennsylvania. The obvious difference between the two is size and speed.
“I got the thickness, he got the speed,” Jimmy said. “I’m a little bigger and taller than the rest of my family.”
Mitchell also brings a great sense of humor to the squad. He keeps the mood light but can ignite a fire under his team when it needs it.
“He’s the total opposite of quiet,” said Lions head coach Mike Danner. “He’s probably the rowdiest kid on the team, but we love him.”
