Everyone loves a great sports story. Tales of overcoming seemingly-impossible odds are enjoyable. Just think of Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger. But some sports stories are not so magnificent. Those stories often tell accounts of potential that was not met and tragedy that ensued thereafter.
Unfortunately for senior cross-country and track team member Bobby Lockhart, his story has changed from the former to the latter.
In less than one month, Lockhart will appear in court to face charges of substantial battery with intended bodily harm, as well as disorderly conduct. According to WISC-TV, police reported that the senior threw an object at a 21-year-old woman, which then broke, requiring the victim to receive stitches.
Whether or not he is guilty of the charges that he will face at his Jan. 4 court date, those who have followed the career of Bobby Lockhart know where the 22-year-old has come from and know how far he's fallen.
Back at John Handley High School, Lockhart was living a great sports story. Just look at the resume: 19-time state champion, four-time state indoor and outdoor champion at 1,600 and 3,200 meters and 2002 National Scholastic Champion at two miles.
'I just want to be the best I can be,' Lockhart told the Running Times as he entered his senior year at Handley. 'But my ultimate goal is to be the best in the nation.'
Coaches at Wisconsin saw the makings of a star in Lockhart. They recruited the high school phenom after he continued his dominance in his final year before college. And he did not disappoint.
His freshman year as a Badger saw him finish third on the team and 21st overall in the cross country NCAA Championships'33 spots in front of Simon Bairu, now the team's star. There was no surprise stemming from the performance of Lockhart, who defeated Chris Solinsky, often considered the heir to Bairu's post as the Badger leader, in the Adidas Outside Classic just a year before.
Though his exemplary accomplishments continued throughout his freshman campaign, as the years went by there was no improvement. While most can blame injury for a lack of development, the excuse simply was not applicable to Lockhart. His star had simply peaked too early.
The Badgers recently won their first team cross country championship since 1988, breaking a string of three straight second place finishes, but where was Bobby Lockhart? In his senior year Lockhart failed to qualify for the race, after finishing 54th the year before. Bairu and Solinsky, who Lockhart had bested in races earlier in his career, hoisted the trophy in Terre Haute, Ind.
Three years ago, if you were to tell Bobby Lockhart that he would be arrested on the night of the party celebrating the Badgers' victory that he had no part in winning, I doubt he would believe you.
'My client is a keeper,' Lockhart's attorney Ariana Cox said, 'and we look forward to our day in court.'
Maybe three years ago, Lockhart might have been a keeper with something to look forward to. Now, he is just a fading star.
