Huntley's Popenfoose commits to Auburn

Huntley discus and shot put standout Marcus Popenfoose ended months of speculation when he verbally committed to Auburn University Tuesday night.

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Popenfoose, one of the most sought after high school throwers in the country, accepted the full ride offered by the Auburn track and field program over similar offers from Iowa and Colorado State.

"I wanted a change of pace," Popenfoose said of his choice to attend college in Auburn, Ala. "I've grown up (in Huntley), so I really wanted to go somewhere different and experience something different than what I'm used to.

"The Southeast Conference is a really good conference and Auburn has a very strong track program and throws program. I'll be training with some great guys there. Those are the main reasons I picked Auburn."

Popenfoose, 18, holds a 3.89 grade-point average, is ranked in the top 10 percent of Huntley's senior class and scored a 29 on the ACT. He intends to major in education with the goal of becoming a math teacher.

Contacted by over 50 major college track programs, Popenfoose eliminated most of those schools last summer in order to simplify the recruiting process. This fall he took three of the five official visits allowed by NCAA regulations. He visited Colorado State in early October, Auburn in early November and Iowa two weeks ago.

On his visit to Auburn, Popenfoose took the official tour, spent time with the Auburn throwers and coaches and met with academic counselors. "I liked the feel and what was going on there," he said. "I felt pretty comfortable."

Popenfoose said it was "a relief" to finalize his college choice, a decision that had been weighing on him, according to his coach.

"Over the past two or three weeks he was kind of stressing out about the whole situation and trying to make sure he was making the right decision for himself," Huntley boys throws coach Chris Maxedon said. "He wasn't necessarily himself. He was a little bit on edge. I'm glad the decision has finally been made so he can move on and look ahead to what he has in store for his last year of high school, which could include some very special things."

One such "special thing" could include the state record in discus. Lake Park graduate Dan Block set the state discus mark during the state finals last spring with his throw of 205-8. Kevin Coleman of Larkin has held the state shot put record of 66-13/4 since 1998. Popenfoose finished second in the state last season in both the discus (199-8) and shot put (59-113/4). His discus throw during the Class 3A preliminaries was the third-longest in state history.

"It's ambitious, but I want to get both the state record and the state meet record (in discus)," Popenfoose said. "My goal for the discus is 215 feet and my goal for the shot is 65. Every year I've made a steady progression."