My Track History
I started throwing shot put and discus in seventh grade. Back then I ran the 200 and 400 as well. Although I was decent at the 200, and terrible at the 400, my heart was really into throws. My friend Eric got me interested in the discus throw and I still throw to this day. When I got into high school I dropped running and focused strictly on throws. I kept up with shot for a couple of years, but then eventually I let it go because disc is what I enjoyed the most. By my senior year I was throwing pretty well, but I did not end up going to school right after high school. The school I ended up going to was strictly a tech school and I did not throw.
After spending about six or seven years deep in the books, I was longing to throw again. I was thinking about coaching or throwing again. After talking to some co-workers (one who was a thrower), it was suggested that I coach. I thought about it, and I figured that there's probably a middle school around that could use a coach. So, later that week I spoke with my sister-in-law about it (because at the time she was throwing a bit), and she mentioned that the high school she goes to (Grafton) does not even have a throws coach. This is the school that I went to. I couldn't believe that there was not a coach... If I remember correctly, it was the next week that I was the Grafton throws coach. This was a big change in life for me, but a good one.
Coaching at GHS
In 2006 I started coaching the Grafton throwers at the end of the season. At that point I was getting my feet wet with coaching. We have a lot of talent on the team and I am really excited. 2007 was amazing though. I have never been on a track team that produced the results like the team that I am working with currently. 2007 Highlights are as follows (names are protected):
- Junior B.H.: started the season in disc at 112ft. and ended at 146ft.
- Sophomore J.K.: started the season in disc at 104ft. and ended by breaking the school record at 123ft.
- Senior A.G.: started the season in shot at 38ft and ended the season over 43ft.
- Sophomore B.B.: started the season in disc at 116ft and ended at 125ft. In shot he started the season at 37ft. and ended at 41ft.
- Junior N.B.: started the season in disc at 103ft. and ended at 122ft.
- Freshman: J.G. started the season in disc at 68ft. and ended at 97ft.
- Junior: R.B. started the season in disc at 70ft. and ended at 80ft.
- Junior: A.E. started the season in disc at 75ft. ended at 83ft.
I am looking forward to the 2008 season!
Throwing links
I find it useful to check out something like google video for throws and see what is out there. Usually there are some collaborations that are good to watch. If you watch any of these to increase your throwing technique, please remember to always work slow to fast. Trying to throw as hard as our Olympic throwers without proper training can bring injury! Anyway, on with the links:
- Aretha Hill is one of our U.S. Olympic female throwers. There are a lot of great resources on this site and she's a good thrower to watch for technique.
- World Champion shot-putter Adam Nelson has video on shot put and links to other assorted things.
- Links to some meets over the summer here.