Kevin Kranz: Comet to the U23 sprint king
Alexander Wiener
King Kevin. The Wetzlar Kevin Kranz has secured the sprint double over 100 and 200 meters at the German Championships of the U23 in Heilbronn last weekend. Much more surprising: as the fifth German, he was able to crack the norm of 10.25 seconds for the European Championships in Berlin over the shorter distance. Big sounds, the modest newcomer spits yet not.
10.24 seconds. The scoreboard indicated this time after Kevin Kranz crossed the finish line on Heilbronn's Frankenstadion's blue lane. EM standard. Or not because the wind was perhaps too strong? About half a minute, the 19-year-old had to shiver, then there was certainty. Kranz has cracked the mark for the
European Championships in Berlin (6th to 12th of August), thus ensuring one of the highlights of the German U23 Championships. On the second day he remained over 200 meters for the first time under 21 seconds (20.89 sec), despite a clear headwind.
The results are the result of continuous development this season. Already in Weinheim at the start of the open-air period Kevin Kranz increased to 10.44 seconds and was thus significantly faster than last year (10.57 sec). In Regensburg and Mannheim, the curve of the young Frankfurters in the jersey of the sprint team Wetzlar went up to 10.34 seconds.
He never had the optimal wind support with a maximum of 0.5 meters per second. "In Heilbronn I finally had perfect conditions. I knew I could run for less than 10.30 seconds, "he said at the finish. Kevin Kranz was delighted that 10.24 seconds jumped out of it. "That was technically pretty good." In the final he put in headwind 10.35 seconds, but that was secondary. "Mainly won, in the third run of the day I was a little tired," he said. He was sovereign to his role as a favorite. In the fifth race of the weekend, he also prevailed over twice the distance.
David Corell: "Kevin was undiscovered talent"
The development of the sprinter born in 1998 is quite remarkable. Three years ago, he appeared for the first time in the Hessian leaderboard, the 10.99 seconds leave him at the end of the year in third place in the U18. Months to forget, injuries throw him back. Just three years after he was discovered in football and switched to athletics, threatens already the end.
But then David Corell came into play. The only 25-year-old Wiesbadener was at the time still studying and with a half job at the Hessian Athletics Association hired, he now works there as a full-time head coach. "I took him under my wing. Kevin was an undiscovered talent that was already shaken by many injuries. Luckily we talked, because he had almost given up hope for a sprint track, "says Corell, while his athlete has to endure the doping control in the Frankenstadion on Saturday evening.
Dosed training
The recipe of Corell: The training is individually controlled and optimally adapted to the athlete. It is not "knocked on it," as the studied sports scientist says. Four real units a week, plus mobilization and stabilization. "Kevin will never be one who spins eight or nine units."
The fact that the young national coach can also ride well with this is shown to Michael Pohl. The currently fastest of the year sprinting due to occupational commitments only very metered, but is also a man for Berlin with 10.22 seconds. Partly Pohl and Kranz train together, especially at start units. Overall, the Corell training group is very strong. According to their coach, five or six athletes can run 10.50 seconds or faster, with Daniel Regenfuß (born in 2001) one of the most talented sprinters in Hessen.
Sprintteam Wetzlar: Hessen's talents under one roof
The fact that something is happening in the Hessian Sprint is not just about people. With the sprint team Wetzlar, a club has set itself the goal of coming to the fore on the short distances with individual players and collectives in Germany. Although Lisa Mayer is the (currently injured) figurehead, in the male section a handful of fast-paced athletes have joined the Mittelhessen.
In their state, they have already taken the supremacy, five of the fastest seven Hesse wearing the jersey of the Wetzlar. In Germany, Michael Pohl and Kevin Kranz cause a sensation. With the season two seasons were faster than the 40.39 sec of the Wetzlarer except the LAC Erfurt. The concept therefore aims to bind strong athletes to Hesse, but to train them in their usual training environment under perfect supervision. Because practiced in the summer in the Frankfurt Hahnstraße, where under David Corell's direction, the fastest sprinters in Hesse.
Loose under pressure
For Kevin Kranz, this currently means optimal conditions for fast times. He has been able to extend his dual study program in the police sports promotion group, which started in September of last year, from three to 4.5 years. The roads are short for the wreath in Frankfurt, and the Wetzlar sprint team ensures broad support. "I have better materials available than before and can concentrate fully on the training," enthuses Kevin Kranz, who laced his spikes before moving to Wetzlar in the LG Eintracht Frankfurt.
Of course, perfect conditions are part of it. But the athlete must also have talent and the necessary will. The former shows the vita of Kevin Kranz, who switched to athletics only at the age of 15 years and now starts. Second, his coach David Corell emphasizes. "Kevin is an animal from the head. What he can deliver, when it matters, is blatant. I have not met such an athlete yet, maybe Michael Pohl. He has such a looseness under pressure, that's amazing ", praises the young coach.
And what is the perspective for Berlin 2018? Kevin Kranz is here on the career track, relaxed and full of anticipation. "I hope to participate, but I'm surprised," he says. He is already involved in the staggering measures of the DLV. He knows that he still has to go for a single start. So far, five athletes have already undercut the standard over 100 meters, including not yet the German record holder Julian Reus. "In Nuremberg at the German Championships there will be a showdown," Kevin Kranz is looking forward to the title fights at the end of July. If he manages to be "an animal" in his head again, he can be reckoned with.
