Carrollton's Voltz Making Big Leap in Long Jump
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
May 5, 2021
It makes sense that DJ Voltz excels at the long jump.
The Carrollton junior is fast – he qualified for the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals in the 100 meters as a freshman. He’s also a multi-year all-state honoree in both football and basketball, a testament to his incredible athleticism.
How quickly he has exceled, though, is a little shocking.
Voltz’s jump of 22 feet, 2.5 inches, recorded April 30 at the Caro Tiger Invitational, is the state’s best early this season. He hit the mark in only his fifth time competing in the event.
“It’s really his first year doing it,” Carrollton track & field coach David Jaworski said. “He knew he wanted to long jump, and we knew with his speed and his athletic ability, it was something he could excel at. He’s a real competitive person. When he started, he was only able to hit (18 and 19 feet), but he’s been working with our jumpers coach, and one day he started hitting 20 and 21 consistently. It’s taken off from there.”
Extraordinary athletic achievement is nothing new for Voltz. He’s a star on the football field and the basketball court for the Cavaliers, having been named honorable mention all-state by The Associated Press in both sports as a sophomore and again as a junior in basketball, and second-team all-state as a junior in football.
His position listing for football was specialist, which, while accurate, also doesn’t seem to fully encapsulate Voltz’s role.
“He is kind of a jack of all trades,” said Jaworski, who is also Carrollton’s offensive coordinator. “We line him up at quarterback, running back, receiver, punt returner, kick returner. He played corner his first couple years, but this year we had a little more pressing needs, so he went back and played safety for us. He kind of plays where we need him to.”
Football is king for Voltz, who plans to attend camps at Central Michigan and Grand Valley State among others this summer, and has a scholarship offer from Division II Gannon University in Florida.
The 6-foot-3 speedster is being recruited as a cornerback at the next level, which would put him on the taller side of the position – the average NFL cornerback is just under 6 foot.
“They’ve been telling me when I get there, they like how I’m lanky and long,” Voltz said. “It’s easier for me to break up and intercept passes. I’m long and fast, and they said I’ve got quick feet, so I can stay with receivers.”
When asked what his position was on the basketball court, Voltz laughed before settling on combo guard. He averaged 17.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.7 blocks this past season for a Carrollton team that was 13-5 and lost by one in the Regional Final.
“He doesn’t specialize in one thing,” Jaworski said. “He still goes and plays his AAU basketball tournaments. He has three or four football camps lined up early in June. He’s at track practice every day. He’s not one to miss things. He works tirelessly. He works with his own private trainer at times, and he’s also working hard at practice.”
That work ethic has quickly transformed Voltz from potential to production in the long jump, and there’s still room to grow.
“It’s all about the technique and how fast you’re running into it,” Voltz said. “You have to count your steps, make sure you jump and make sure you pick your feet up when you jump so you can have extra length in that sand pit. I still have a lot to learn. I really like doing long jump, and I’m getting the technique down. There’s always room to get better at it, and I’m trying to get even farther.”
The newfound success in the long jump has Voltz seriously considering adding track to his collegiate pursuits, and he said the football coaches he’s spoken with are on board with it.
For now, Voltz has his eyes on the school record, which at 23-2, he feels is attainable. He said he’s not thinking, yet, about potentially adding more all-state honors to his resume at the MHSAA Finals on June 5.
“It’s still early,” he said. “I’m still focusing on getting better for that situation. I’m not really focused on the later on, I’m focused on what’s going on right now.”
His focus and constant presence with Carrollton athletics is something Jaworski said is setting an example for younger athletes in the community. Voltz is more than happy to add mentor to his long list of duties.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I want to set an example, and when I leave this school, I want to be one of the ones they talk about – one of the greats at Carrollton. I want them to want to follow in my footsteps and want to be better than me. I want them to beat my records one day.”
Paul Costanzo served as a sportswriter at The Port Huron Times Herald from 2006-15, including three years as lead sportswriter, and prior to that as sports editor at the Hillsdale Daily News from 2005-06. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Carrollton’s DJ Voltz soars through a long jump attempt this spring. (Middle) Voltz fills one of his many roles on the Cavaliers’ football team. (Photos courtesy of the Carrollton track & field program & DJ Voltz.)
Performance: Algonac's Morgan Beadlescomb
May 17, 2016
Morgan Beadlescomb
Algonac senior – Track & Field
Beadlescomb will finish his high school career next month all over the Algonac record books and MHSAA champions lists as well. He won the Lower Peninsula Division 2 cross country championship each of the last two seasons and also won the LP Division 2 track title in the 1,600 last spring. His time in the 1,600 that day set a school record of 4:13.58, and he added his school’s 3,200 record of 9:03.68 in finishing first at the prestigious Saline Golden Triangle Invitational on May 6, earning him the Michigan National Guard Performance of the Week for May 2-8.
The 9:03 was thought to be the fastest time in the state in the 3,200 this season – but was matched by a 9:03 the same night by Corunna’s Noah Jacobs at the Cavalier Classic True Team Invitational. Beadlescomb finished fifth in the 3,200 at last year’s MHSAA LP Division 2 Final, as Jacobs won the race, and he intends to run against Jacobs in both the 1,600 and 3,200 at this season’s Final, June 4 at Zeeland.
Beadlescomb also has run the 400 in 51.8 seconds this season and the 800 in 157.7; that 800 time would’ve finished seventh in LP Division 2 in 2015. His improvement during high school was impressive, especially in cross country; Beadlescomb finished 138th in LP Division 2 as a freshman before jumping to 12th as a sophomore and then winning his final two seasons. Boasting a 3.3 grade-point average, Beadlescomb will study and run next at Michigan State University, where he’ll major in mechanical engineering. He also recently was one of 12 finalists statewide for the Detroit Athletic Club’s annual Michigan High School Athlete of the Year awards, which are given to one female and male to recognize both athletic and academic achievement.
Coach Mark Simms said: “Morgan has a tremendous drive and work ethic. He does not accept finishing second and drives to be the best he can be. Morgan is the most talented track athlete that I have been associated with in my 22-year career. Morgan has left his mark here at Algonac High School. His track records will probably stand for years to come.”
Performance Point: “I remember I took the race out too fast, and that made the entire race difficult. It was hard to hang in there the whole time. But my coaches were there the whole time cheering me on and motivating me, some kids from Michigan State were there watching old teammates and cheering me on, and my parents were too. (The atmosphere) helped motivate me while I was running, for sure. There never really was a silent part of the track.”
Leaving a legacy: “I’m hoping people will remember my work ethic. I worked hard to get where I am. I’m not a naturally talented athlete, and I’ve not always been at the front of the pack … so I hope people will remember me for that.”
Finish strong: “I’m hoping to place top in the nation in the mile or 2-mile; I’m leaning more toward the 2-mile. I’ve got more national goals than I have had in the past. The state meet is going to be difficult because I’m going for the mile/2-mile double. In the mile (1,600) there are two kids under 4:20, but if I play it smart I think I can win that. The 2-mile (3,200) is really difficult (because of) Noah Jacobs. He’s so smart, he knows how to run, he doesn’t get too excited. It’s a battle against him, but I always look forward to it.”
Racing Jacobs: “It’s nice because we’re not at each other’s throats. We like each other, we’re friends, and it’s nice to race against him. It’s a healthy competition. Every sport, I think most kids are like that, especially in high school. Most sports, I've found, kids get along with the other athletes, especially when they get more toward the top, the elite teams. It’s nice to share experiences. We learn from each other.”
Morgan in motion: “I’ve always loved working on moving things. I grew up racing motocross, and I love not only riding but working on the motorcycles. I love learning about cars. If it has a motor, it’s my thing.”
– Geoff Kimmerly, Second Half editor
Every week during the 2015-16 school year, Second Half and the Michigan National Guard will recognize a “Performance of the Week" from among the MHSAA's 750 member high schools.
The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. This training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our nation's freedom, or protecting lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster.
Previous 2015-16 honorees
May 4: Abby Krzywiecki, Farmington Hills Mercy softball - Read
April 27: Mike Mokma, Holland Christian baseball - Read
April 20: Abby Divozzo, Cadillac girls soccer - Read
March 30: Cassius Winston, Detroit U-D Jesuit boys basketball - Read
March 23: Kierra Fletcher, Warren Cousino girls basketball - Read
March 16: Jacob Montague, Grosse Pointe South swimming & diving - Read
March 9: Kyle Tuttle, St. Charles boys bowling - Read
March 2: Brittney Schnicke, Caledonia girls bowling - Read
Feb. 24: Kamari Newman, Detroit East English boys basketball - Read
Feb. 17: Jason Whitens, Powers North Central boys basketball - Read
Feb. 10: Rachel Hogan, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Read
Feb. 3: Nehemiah Mork, Midland Dow swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 27: Mardrekia Cook, Muskegon girls basketball - Read
Jan. 20: Sage Castillo, Hartland wrestling - Read
Jan. 13: Rob Zofchak, Dexter swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 6: Tyler Deming, Caro wrestling – Read
Dec. 15: Jordan Weber, East Jordan boys basketball – Read
Dec. 8: Kaitlyn Geers, Kent City girls basketball – Read
PHOTOS: (Top) Algonac's Morgan Beadlescomb leads during the final stretch of the Division 2 Cross Country Final last fall at Michigan International Speedway. (Middle) Beadlescomb (far right) prepares to make his move on the way to winning the 1,600 at last season's MHSAA LP Division 2 Track & Field Final. (Photos by Ike Lea and Carter Sherline, RunMichigan.com.)