By Mike Landis

Star Courier

Kewanee, Ill. —

The formula for Tanner Ewing’s success is pretty simple.
“Hard work plus great natural athleticism,” said Annawan-Wethersfield boys track and field coach Brandon Johnston regarding the Titans’ talented hurdler.
“That’s a good equation for something pretty special.”
That “something pretty special” occurred a week ago as the A-W senior swept the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdle titles at the Class 1A state track and field meet in Charleston.
“A lot of people have come up and congratulated me,” said Ewing when asked to reflect on the events of last Saturday. “It’s kind of shocking — shocking that I had all that success against great competition that worked really hard to get down to state.”
For his accomplishments on the final day of his high school athletic career, Wethersfield graduate Tanner Ewing is our Star Courier Athlete of the Week.
The first hurdle Ewing had to clear wasn’t on the track. A standout at Stark County since his freshman season, when he qualified for the state meet in the 400-meter dash, Ewing left SC in February and transferred to Wethersfield. He became eligible to run track in mid-March, and had to prove himself to a whole new group of teammates.
“At Stark County, I was always kind of the top guy,” said Ewing. “At Wethersfield, they didn’t really know that much about me.”
“Any time you get an athlete like him, it’s a welcome addition,” said Johnston, “but you do wonder how he’s going to fit in. I think his work ethic and commitment won the kids over pretty quick. He’s an easy kid to get along with and he works hard, so that helps ease the transition.”
“From the very first day I worked hard and listened to my coaches,” said Ewing, adding he became fast friends in lifting and running with teammate Shayne Neubert.
Ewing served notice early by winning the 55-meter hurdles at the Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor Classic in Bloomington. The A-W senior dominated both hurdle races throughout the season, and also found a home on A-W’s 4×400 relay.
“With his athleticism, we wanted to put that to use in more than just two events,” said Johnston. “He really helped push that relay into a very good team.”
But the hurdles were Ewing’s bread and butter, and he was rarely pushed until he made the trip to Charleston.
The 110-meter prelims was his first event, and he started having memories of his junior season when he didn’t make the finals in that race.
“I came in ranked second in the state and figured I should win my heat pretty easy,” said Ewing. “I was definitely wrong.”
At one point in the race, he was in third place.
“I thought, ‘Tanner, what are you doing.’ I thought I was going to miss the finals again,” he said.
He managed to rally and nip Dane Eubanks of Sesser-Valier in a photo finish and advance to the finals. Then he cruised to a win in his 300 hurdle heat, setting the stage for Saturday’s sweep.
“He was one of the most determined kids I’ve ever been around,” said Johnston. “He came so close last year. I think he had a little bit of revenge on his mind.”
Ewing was clearly the man to beat in the 300 finals, which he finished runner-up in his junior season, but the first piece of business was the 110 finals.
He battled with Illini West’s Ser Whitaker to line, winning a photo finish in a time of 14.59 seconds.  A couple of hours later, he added the 300 title as he rallied down the stretch to hold off Whitaker again in a winning time of 38.51 seconds.
The victories at state completed an undefeated senior season for Ewing in both hurdle events.
“That’s a pretty good feeling, knowing that you’ve gone all year without losing a race, especially at state,” he said.
With a successful final chapter to his high school hurdling career, Ewing is preparing to step into the collegiate ring at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.
He figures to receive a workout plan from SAU in the near future and plans to stay in shape this summer by running with A-W Lady Titans teammate Claire Pillen.
He also has to tack an extra 100 meters onto to his signature race, as collegiate athletes compete in the 400-meter hurdles.
Johnston believes that race will be a perfect fit for Ewing.
“I think that will be his race in college,” said Johnston. “With his athleticism and determination, it’s up to Tanner as to what he accomplishes.”
“I just want to get faster,” said Ewing of competing at the next level. “I really don’t have any personal goals. I just want to make the team better and do my part.”