Track Begins

Track started three weeks ago and is now in full swing. The Kennedy Cougars had their first meet this last Monday (March 9) at the Wartburg College indoor track arena and by the results I think we are going to be an overall a mid- rate team. We sent two throwers to the competition and the top throw was thirty-five feet, I think the throwers are going to have a very long year. I was unable to go after I scratched three times in the “throw- off” to determine who would be going to the Wartburg meet. I think it is evident that we lack our top throwers this year because we have almost no senior class of shot- put and discus throwers. We have two seniors, but they have no past experience at varsity meets and nearly all of the junior and sophomore field team members can throw farther than them. Last year, at the last JV meet which was at Iowa City High I was placed very high after I tossed the shot- put forty- two feet and nine inches. I hope to be throwing this again at the next throw-off, as I’m the only field team member that has ever thrown forty feet or farther at an actual competition. By the end of the season I hope to be reaching forty- six feet on average for throw, which would be at the low end of being able to really compete and place at varsity competitions. To advance to the Drake Relays or to state many a time my coach has told us that we have to be throwing fifty feet at a minimum. Next year, returning as a senior I really hope that I can go to these prestigious competitions and even be able to place and get some “clinkers” (medals) at the Drake Relays and/ or state.

I need to focus much harder on my short-term goals though. These include not scratching and getting to the last two of the indoor track meets and also returning to forty- two feet on average per throw and improving to forty- six feet per throw as the track season progresses.