While runners and jumpers claim the track and field spotlight, a handful of athletes on the Huntington Beach High School (HBHS) team are mastering another sport that relies on power, precision and patience.
The HBHS throwing team consists of dedicated athletes who use a combination of strength and strategy to throw shot put and toss discs. Despite their dedication and hard work, many of the students feel the sport does not get the recognition it deserves.
Shot put is a sport where the athlete must throw a heavy metal ball, called a shot, as far as they can. The shot weighs 8.8 pounds for girls, 10 pounds for freshmen-sophomore boys and 12 pounds for junior-senior boys, explained Brent Riederich, the HBHS track and field throwing coach. Whilst throwing, the athlete cannot leave the throwing circle.
Discus is an event where the athlete throws a heavy circular disc as far as possible. The disc weighs 1 kilogram for girls and 1.6 kilograms for boys said Riederich. There is a similar circle where the athlete is contained to. Both sports require balance and coordination, on top of brute strength.
Sophomore thrower at HBHS, Hayleigh Stinson, said, “I don’t think that throwing…gets enough recognition because every time you say you do track, everybody thinks you run.”
The team’s passion, goals and camaraderie reveal a side of track and field that few are privileged to witness.
“I was interested in throwing because it was a non-cut sport, and I think it’s a good [form of] anger relief,” said Stinson.
A non-cut sport is a sport where the team size is not limited, allowing anyone to join. That’s one of the many reasons athletes join the throwing team. Since throwing is an individual sport, how one athlete performs does not affect the outcome of the other athletes. The track coach emphasizes that enthusiasm and personal motivation are core parts of the team’s unique culture.
Riederich said, “You’re generally competing with yourself every week because you’re trying to make yourself better… It’s all about individual development,”
The HBHS throwing program heavily focuses on individual improvement, and the team’s training reflects that. Every day, athletes go out to practice so they can hone in their form and control. Then, they practice their throws. The team thrives on constructive criticism to fine-tune their skills. They take turns as the coach and other athletes watch, that way they can make suggestions on how they can improve their throwing.
“It’s just a lot of repetition,” said Andre Nguyen, a sophomore track thrower at HBHS.
The repetition is necessary, though.
Riederich said, “Shot put and discus aren’t just an ‘ogre thing’ — there’s a lot of technique that’s required for you to do it properly.”
Staying motivated and dedicated is essential to success in the throwing program.
“I stay motivated just seeing my progress and also seeing all my teammates around me getting better,” said JR Navarro, a senior HBHS thrower.
This feeling is reciprocated by others on the team.
“It’s mainly the friendship that’s helping me through,” said Nguyen.
Alliyah Shelmon, a junior thrower at HBHS, said, “Everyone here is extremely sweet…we’re all a family.”
While the team is a great place to make new friends, some players have received even larger benefits, such as collegiate scholarships.
“I already received a college letter from Occidental [College],” said Shelmon.
While throwing is an individual sport, that does not stop the team from being supportive of each other and growing as a whole. Everyone bonds through the warm-ups and practices, no matter their individual skill set. The athletes commonly agree, however, that there is one glaring problem.
“I think throwing gets absolutely no recognition in school athletics,” Navarro said.
This lack of attention is part of the reason why the team is so small. Word of mouth is their main form of advertisement.
“I just went with Andre [Nguyen] and Nathan [Tokunaga]… we tried a new thing and we liked it,” said HBHS sophomore thrower Dane Kelly.
The small size of the team has been surprising to some, as the sport is very inclusive; throwing is more accessible than many assume.
“Throwing doesn’t matter your build or size…anyone could do it,” said Navarro.
Other types of athletes also participate in the team during their off-season to train for their main sport or boost muscle growth. For example, the prior mentioned Kelly is a golfer.
For many players, the team feels like a second family. The athletes and coach said that the team environment is non-judgmental and welcoming—regardless of ability or experience.
Stinson said, “It’s just fun to warm up together…to enjoy the moments of warming up and throwing all together.”
The closeness and supportive environment, combined with individual growth, is what makes the sport appealing to many. As Shelmon said, “Don’t be afraid to try new things.” Try something new, check out the HBHS track and field throwing team.
