Katz Always Looking For A New Challenge

Editor’s Note—In addition to being a top student, gifted athlete and talented musician, .

never shies away from a challenge. 

Whether it is snowboarding or music or writing or running track for the Warriors, the Deerfield High School track star and Dartmouth College bound student is never willing to back down. 

“Hard work is a big thing for everyone,” Katz said. “You have to push through the pain and you always don’t want to do it. But I am always thinking about the future and the reason that I am doing it.”

“He is an outstanding athlete and well-rounded as well, “Deerfield coach Jeremy Kauffman said.  “He is a phenomenal musician and really a gentleman. He is the complete package as a student athlete.”

Katz is coming off his most successful track season. As a junior, Katz finished third in the state in Class 3A in the triple jump, finishing with leaps of 45’-7.75”.

"I did very well down there last year," Katz said. "I can’t wait to get back there again to compete for the finals."

“I was not surprised that he qualified for the state finals” Kauffman said. “But I never knew he could make third. He had a great state meet”

Katz Is Off to Great Start

Katz is already off to a great start this season. He finished sixth in the state in the hurdles at the Indoor State Meet at Illinois Wesleyan University in March.  And his long jump in the outdoor season has already exceeded the 22 feet necessary to qualify for the state finals.

With qualifying for State last year under his belt, Katz is looking toward a new mountain to climb. He has stepped up his training in the long jump along with the low and high hurdles, in hopes of qualifying in four events, the maximum number allowed by an individual at State. 

"I really thought I had the potential last year to qualify in the long jump and high hurdles," Katz said. "But I thought I could qualify, but just not place. This year I think I have improved my skill enough that if I qualify that I have the potential to medal."

Katz to Consider Decathlon at Dartmouth

Katz may be looking at the ultimate test in sports next year when he attends Dartmouth. The track coach at the prestigious Ivy League school has heard about Katz's accomplishments and thinks that Katz would make a perfect decathlete. 

"Decathletes always start out as hurdlers or pole vaulters because those are the two events that are very technical," Katz explained. "Hurdling I am already good at. So the decathlon is something that I am going to consider. "

The decathlon is designed to measure an athlete's performance in 10 different events including running and jumping along with pole vault, javelin, discuss and shot put. Scores are awarded not only by the athlete's position in the event, but the athlete's individual performance as well. 

 Kauffman says the Katz would be perfect for the grueling event that not only would have Katz competing against other athletes, but against himself as well.

“He can do it all, “Kauffman said. “This kid is an all-around athlete. He has a lot of special gifts and he works hard to maximize his efforts.”

 Meanwhile, Katz will graduate in June and then head on to study engineering at Dartmouth. And begin another new challenge in his life.

 “I always had a math-science orientation,” Katz said. “I am very into Physics. I like to see how things happen.”

And for Danny Katz, he seems to conquer all those challenges.