Journey hits bump for Conant's Oduocha, but not over yet

Senior Chikere Oduocha has played three sports for four years at Conant, and she will take her 4.517 GPA to Wisconsin next year and throw the shot and discus.

Conant throws coach Samantha Serrano expected Oduocha to break the school record in both events this spring — and become a state champion.

That would have been the culmination of a relationship that started before high school.

“As early as 2014, I started noticing this discus thrower waiting for her junior high bus every day as I drove through the neighborhood to get to our school parking lot,” Serrano said. “Finally, four years ago I was able to introduce myself to her in the halls of our high school where she was certain her future was playing volleyball or basketball. Convincing her to do track and field was like pulling teeth.”

Serrano saw Oduocha's potential in track and field. She told Oduocha that she would be a conference and sectional champion, the school record holder, a state champion, get a scholarship, and become an All-American.

“I was trying to convince this girl that she was going to be better at throwing this foreign object than she was at basketball, an idea that was fed to her since she was five, after all she is 6-1,” Serrano said. “Fast forward to her senior year and Chikere is now a four-year, three-sport athlete. She has been a team leader and found success at volleyball and basketball, but her true talent is throwing a discus and a nine pound ball.”

Oduocha won conference and sectional championships at Conant, but had two disappointing state meets, according to her coach.

“That truly tested her individual grit,” Serrano said. “This year was going to be different. There is not a doubt in my mind that Chikere Oduocha would have won the state meet this year in the throws. I've seen her throw 160 feet and I know that the state discus record was in jeopardy. All of those promises I made to a kid, I hope would finally manifest for her.”

And then came COVID-19.

“It is unheard of for a kid to sign with a Big Ten university without so much as a state medal,” Serrano said. “But they saw in her what I did 6 years ago, and they know she was born to throw. Though she hasn't had the state or national accolades behind her name that previous recipients have, her coach remains unconvinced that this year was for Chikere Oduocha. Her coach pulled the tablecloth from her neatly set table, and the guilt of not being able to deliver is painful.

“In the weeks that Japan and South Korea began closing school doors, I told Chikere that whatever happens, I will tell the world she was our state champion. I will always believe in her.”