Though he hasn’t been involved in competitive track and field for too long, West Jordan’s Dominic Overby has become a leader for the Jaguars.

Overby started running track as a ninth grader when he and some friends decided to give the sport a shot. Doing it largely out of curiosity and hoping he could simply have some fun trying something new, Overby quickly fell in love with track and field. 

And he has been pretty good at it too. 

This season, the senior has qualified for state in six events: the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter runs, along with the long jump, 4-by-100 relay and 4-by-400 relay. A captain for the Jaguars, Overby has been undefeated this season in all of his events. This includes a successful unblemished record in offseason indoor events. 

A highlight this season for Overby came at the Caveman Class at American Fork High school where he had a long jump of 24 feet 7 inches. It would have been the longest jump in Utah high school history; however, the jump was wind-aided, so it didn’t count. Plus, the sandpit didn’t have enough sand. Still, Overby has had other official standout performances this season. He won the 100-meter race at the Davis Invitational with a time of 10.68 seconds. He also won the 400 at this meet with a school record of 47.08 seconds—a time that also happened to be the fifth-best in state history in the event. Currently, Overby is in the top 10 in the nation in the long jump and top 25 in the 400. 

Overby loves how track allows him to work hard to improve every day. 

“I enjoy being able to compete with myself,” he said. “Track is very mental and physical as well.”

Head coach Taylor Hatch said Overby is one of the hardest workers on the team in addition to being a talented athlete. He helps lead the Jaguars with his performance and attitude. This mindset has helped establish a strong sense of team unity and accountability for the Jaguars. 

“The best thing about being on West Jordan’s track team is the culture that has been built,” Overby said. “Everyone on the team knows the standard to give all their effort in workouts and races.”

As with any sport, track and field requires some natural talent to be successful. Athletes have to develop skills, have a good work ethic and understand the tactics of the sport. Because track and field can be both physically and mentally demanding, it’s crucial for athletes to focus on both areas. Overby said he is confident in his abilities to confront and overcome obstacles, which allow him to achieve goals and find success. 

“The strength of being a track athlete is being mentally strong and knowing you can do hard things,” he said. “I always bring my best effort and high energy to the team.”

When it comes to what he does on the track with running and jumping, Overby is pleased with his efforts and progress. While there is always room to get better, his biggest focus this season has been on something entirely different. Overby is trying to be a better teammate. 

“I’m hoping to improve being more consistent with being close to all my teammates in different events,” he said. 

That team camaraderie is something that permeates the West Jordan team. The Jaguars support one another through every win and loss, all ups and downs. As a team leader, Overby is at the forefront of that charge. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t set some lofty personal goals this season. 

“I want to break the state record in long jump and the 400,” he said. “As a team, we all have made a goal to win state.”

Last season, the Jaguars had a strong showing on the boys’ side, coming in fifth at the Class 6A state meet with 49 points. This season, West Jordan is competing in Class 5A, potentially giving the team an even better shot of accomplishing its goal of taking first place overall. The state meet this season will take place May 16–18 at Brigham Young University. 

Overby will conclude his high school career at the end of May, but he doesn’t intend to stop running track. He hopes to compete at Iowa St. University where he’ll enroll this fall. Interestingly enough, track and field might not even be his best sport. He’s going to Iowa St. on a football scholarship. As a wide receiver for the Jaguars, he had 64 catches or 1,059 yards and 11 touchdowns this past fall. He also added seven rushes for 91 yards and a touchdown on the ground and had 53 tackles on defense. His efforts earned him First-Team All-State recognition. 

At Iowa St., Overby hopes his schedule allows him time to keep running track. 

Overby is grateful for the people who have helped him along the way to becoming a standout track and field star. He has worked hard to improve, but he acknowledged that his accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated coaches he has had. He credits Hatch for being one to push him to do his best. 

“Coach Hatch motivates me to work hard,” he said. 

At the state track meet, Overby will be among the favorites in multiple events. Last year, Overby was second in 6A in the long jump and fourth in the 400.  λ