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Versatility is the key

    Sierra junior Kelby Dias scored 40 of the Stallions’ 68 points at the 4A state track meet, propelling them to second place. Dias repeated as the state champ in both hurdles, won the long jump for the first time and ran the lead leg on the winning 800-meter relay team.    For his dominance in the state meet and throughout the season, Dias is The Gazette’s Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.How does it feel to win four events at the 4A state meet? It was a relief because of all the work as a team, and the coaches, all the time they put in. It just paid off for us. It was just a great day for us.What was the biggest surprise for you about the state meet? Winning the long jump. It would definitely be winning the long jump.Where did you expect to finish in the long jump? Fourth is what I expected. I was seeded sixth. I just planned on getting fourth and getting some points for my team.What’s more satisfying, winning four events or seeing the team do so well? Most definitely the team getting second, improving from last year’s fourth to second. For me I care more about the team than I do individual medals. Without my 4-by-2 teammates, I couldn’t have won four medals that day. They got me that fourth gold. I’m thankful for that.What is the hardest part about competing in four events? You have to remain really focused and you have to rest in between races. You have to eat well. Your body takes a toll.What is your favorite event? The 110 hurdles. For those first hurdles you’re right there with everyone else. When I get to the second five hurdles I just take over and it’s my race. It just kicks in and I get faster. I’m zoned in and really focused. I like the focused part and having to get tuned in for that race.When was the last time you lost in the hurdles? I haven’t lost in the 300. Well, I lost it my freshman year, but since last year I haven’t lost in the 300. One time I lost the 110 last year at the beginning of the year.What are your goals for next year? It’s mostly times I’d like to reach. In the 100, I’d like to hit about 13.8 (seconds) and in the (300) about 36 (seconds), a low 36. I’m pushing for the state record next year. (The records for all classifications are 13.61 seconds in the 110 hurdles and 36.41 in the 300 hurdles).Have you thought about what you want to do for a career? Sports medicine. Sports management. Something with sports.Do you have a favorite subject in school? My favorite subject is chemistry.What do you like about chemistry? I like the equations and balancing equations. Plus it just comes easy to me. I understand it.Do you have a favorite TV show? The “Family Guy.” They have constant jokes and I like Stewie too.That’s a funny show but I can’t watch it when my wife’s around. She doesn’t think it’s funny. (laughing) Yeah, my mom doesn’t like it either so I have to watch it in my room.What has been your biggest accomplishment outside of track? Outside of track it would definitely have to be when I got my first scholarship offer for football. Knowing that I do have a future and my hard work was paying off.Where did the offer come from? From Wyoming, they offered me a full ride.To play wide receiver? Yes, for wide receiver.If you have to choose between football and track, which will it be? Unfortunately it will be football. Well, not unfortunately, but it will be football. I’ll definitely try to do both in college.It’s pretty hard to get a full ride in track.

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