Name: Lonnie (Kevin) Fairchild
School: Desert Vista HS
PR
Javelin: 195-6
Kevin Fairchild is the sole returning State Champion among the Desert Vista boys. Last season at the AIA Track and Field State Championship, Fairchild threw a mark of 193-1 which won him the D1 Boys' Javelin competition by over twelve feet. This season, he's won the Aztec Invite and most recently he threw the javelin to a new lifetime best of 195-6 to clinch the victory at the Hohokam Invitational.
Where are you from and when did you begin throwing javelin?
I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and I started throwing javelin back in 2015.
What was your favorite memory of high school track and field?(Right: Fairchild (middle; back row) hoists the team trophy for the Desert Vista boys at the AIA State Championship, last May.-photo by John Hays)
My favorite memory of my high school track and field career was winning the State championships not only individually but as a team as well back in 2018.
Did you listen to music before competing? If so what's on your playlist?
I do listen to music before I compete. It has four songs on repeat. 1) High Hopes by Panic at the Disco. 2)Litty by Meek Mill. 3) Move Along by The All-American Rejects. 4) Congratulations by Pewdiepie, Roomie, Boyinaband
Who would you consider your toughest rival/competition over your four years?
My toughest rival has to have been either Carlan Naisant or Alex Ramirez.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your throwing career in high school?
If I could change one thing about my throwing career it would have been to have trained smarter and not harder. I know there is a bunch of things I need to change in my technique and if I had fixed those problems long ago there is no doubt that I would be throwing further.
What influence has Coach Hickel had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
Coach Hickel has always been pushing me to not only throw farther but to boost my confidence he has helped me see that I am capable of greater throws and have so much untapped potential. That untapped potential has given me hope to what I can do with my career and the faith that I can be a greater version of myself.
You are a part of a rich tradition of throwers at Desert Vista. What has it meant for you to take up the Javelin for the thunder in its early years as an AIA sanctioned event?
I know that my record at DV won't last forever but I hope to set a good standard and goal for the younger generations to see. I started out only throwing 130' my freshman year so I want to give hope to those who aren't throwing as far yet. I want the next generations to see what they can accomplish if they work hard. I want to show that DV will be a powerhouse because of how hard we work.
(Left: Kevin Fairchild signed his NLI with Brown University, yesterday. Left to Right: Coach Jeremy Tuttle, Kevin Fairchild, Coach Troy Hickel)What was the deciding factor that made you choose to sign with Brown University?
The deciding factor for me to sign with brown was mainly due to the entire team in general. On my visit, I felt a great connection with the team and met a javelin squad that truly made me feel at home. The coaching staff is also phenomenal and I knew from the moment coach Kinsley and I first started talking that he was going to be the coach for me.
Brown's throws coach, Craig Kinsley was an NCAA Champion and an Olympian for the Javelin. What do you like about his coaching philosophy or style?
He knew that not all throwers were made the same and that it is not about one correct technique but what techniques and strengths are the best for the given athlete. Coach Kinsley mainly talked about throwing with speed and how to transfer energy into the javelin which was a concept I had heard about but never truly could understand until he told me about it.
Have you decided on a major?
I have decided to pursue a degree in either mechanical or electrical engineering.
What's your favorite thing to do outside of track and field?
When I am not practicing for track, I mainly like to play video games and hang out with my friends.
Who would you like to thank for your success in high school?
I would like to thank Coach Hickel, Coach Tuttle, Coach Jones, Coach Rudy, Coach Blu, Coach Lothrop, Coach Christofis and my mom.
Are there any shout-outs you'd like to give?
I would like to give a shout out to Austin and Aaron Wadsworth and the entire court one training facility for helping me increase my speed dramatically.
Fun Stuff!
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Telekinesis
Who's your favorite athlete?
Neeraj Chopra
Where is the best place in Ahwatukee to eat after a meet?
Rudy's
Would you rather have the ability to speak any language or play any instrument?
Play Any instrument
What are you most excited to do when you get to Providence, RI?
Train and lift and become the best javelin thrower
