JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Turner Scow, a senior at Scottsbluff High School, is this week’s Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance Male Athlete of the Week. Scow swept the shot put and discus titles in the Western Nebraska Twilight Meet in Scottsbluff this past week. He ranks among the state’s best in the discus. Scow is looking to qualify for the state track and field meet for the fourth straight year. He will compete in the Best in the West Classic on Tuesday in Scottsbluff. His parents are Mike and Donna Scow.
Q: Are you pleased with how this track and field season has been going?
SCOW: “Yes, I like how the season has been going. I’m really proud of the team. It’s been great.”
Q: Have you achieved what you’ve wanted to so far?
SCOW: “Yes, I like where I’m at right now, but I want to keep improving. I would like to win state this year [in the discus]. I also hope to set the school record.”
Q: What is the school record in the discus, and what is your best distance in the discus?
SCOW: “It’s 188. My best is 170.”
Q: What is your best throw in the shot put?
SCOW: “It’s 46, which I’m pretty proud of because the other seasons I’ve only gotten about 42, so I’ve made a big jump this season.”
Q: How special would it be for you if you were able to qualify for state for the fourth straight year?
SCOW: “That would be great. It’s an honor just to get there.”
Q: Do you feel like you’re a much stronger thrower this year compared to last year?
SCOW: “Yes, I feel like I’m a lot better in competition this year.”
Q: Your goal is to win a state championship. When did you set that as a goal?
SCOW: “I actually set that my freshman year. When I was talking to my coach, she thought I could do it. I wasn’t sure about it until about halfway through the season. Then I was like, ‘OK, I would like to try to do this.’ I’m really going for it this year.”
Q: What would it mean to you if you were able to win a state championship?
SCOW: “I’m not really wanting to win state for myself. I really want to win it for my team. If I could get first, that would help us get first as a team at state. That’s my biggest thing right now. I just want our team to win.”
Q: Another one of your goals is to break the school record of 188 feet. Do you feel like that’s well within your reach?
SCOW: “I believe it is. I think I’ve thrown that in practice.”
Q: Is track your favorite sport?
SCOW: “Yes. In middle school, I started doing it, and I just kind of fell in love with it. There’s just something about it that I really like.”
Q: Do you plan to keep competing after high school?
SCOW: “Yes. I’m going to the University of Nebraska-Kearney to throw. I’m very excited about it.”
Q: Why did you pick UNK?
SCOW: “When I went there for an official visit, I met with the coaches and the team, and they were all really nice. The coach really got me to look into it. It was mostly the throwers. I looked at a few other schools, and they were OK, but they have a really good family at UNK. I just thought, ‘Wow, that would be an awesome place to go.’”
Q: What is it that helps you be so successful in the discus?
SCOW: “I’m not really sure. My coach has told me that I have a beautiful release, and that could be a big reason.”
Q: Just how strong is this year’s Scottsbluff High School boys track and field team?
SCOW: “We’re pretty strong. We definitely have a lot of people who can get us points in the state track meet.”
Q: Outside of sports and school, what do you like to do for fun?
SCOW: “Usually, I go hang out with friends and play video games, and I’ll lift.”
Q: What’s your favorite video game?
SCOW: “My favorite video game right now would probably be Dark Souls III.”
Q: What do you plan to major in at college?
SCOW: “Probably accounting.”
Q: What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?
SCOW: “Hopefully, I will be a CPA.”
Q: Have you lived in Scottsbluff your whole life?
SCOW: “Yes.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Scottsbluff?
SCOW: “There’s a lot of nice people here. It’s a medium-size town, but it has a small-town feel to it, and I like that.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in the community.
SCOW: “I would say Shelby Aaberg [Scottsbluff High School teacher and head track and field coach] because he’s a great guy, and he’s a great teacher, and he’s done quite a bit for the community.”
Q: What do you like best about going to Scottsbluff High School?
SCOW: “My favorite part about it is the teachers. They are very helpful, and they’re just great people.”
Q: Do you have any big plans for this summer?
SCOW: “I am going to work during the summer, and I’m going to lift to try to get stronger for college.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in this area?
SCOW: “Probably Applebee’s or Sandy’s Burritos.”
Q: For someone who hasn’t visited this area before, what’s one place that you would recommend that he or she see?
SCOW: “I would recommend that they go see the Monument or go to the Wildcats.”
Q: In your opinion, who do you think is the kindest person at Scottsbluff High School?
SCOW: “I would have to say Gary Largo. He’s just a really nice guy.”
Q: What’s one thing that you wish people would do more often?
SCOW: “I wish people would not text while driving. That’s probably one of the scariest things ever, especially when there are children around.”
Q: Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
SCOW: “Yes, I have one brother [Hunter] and one sister [Alex]. Hunter is a junior in college at Kearney, and Alex is a counselor in Norfolk.”
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
