(Shown above Men’s Hammer Throw Winners (L to R): Levi Graham – 2nd, Diego Campos – 1st, Evan Sweeney – 3rd)
The summer is just beginning to heat up with two of the five meets completed. Athletes drew the lucky straw at our June 18th meet. After a week of hot, 90 degree plus days, the day dawned cool and sunny with highs in the 70’s – a perfect day for summer throwing. This meet was filled to capacity and some great competitions were had. Due to the full capacity, athletes were given four throws in their fight for the ribbon.
The Hammer Throw started the day off. As has been the case in recent years, more college throwers are competing in the Throwers League. On this day, we had a complete flyte of college throwers. In the High School divison, Hammerman’s own Diego Campos threw a personal best of 55.04 meters (180’ 7”) to take the blue ribbon. Diego will be a junior at East Aurora High School and is emerging as one of the best high school boys’ throwers in the Midwest. Ours girls’ competition was won by collegian Peyton Panka with a solid throw of 39.95 (131’ 1”).
Meanwhile, shot put began on the other side of Hammerman Field. Luke Hatten, a college thrower tossed the 16lb shot 16.19 meters. Luke is an Exercise Science major at SIUE. Peyton Panka won the women’s shot with a throw of 11.53 meters.
Like the shot put, the discus was loaded with men’s and women’s throwers. Overflow throwers competed in a second cage at the northwest corner of the field. On the men’s side, five collegiate throwers battled it out with Hammerman’s own Dan Coxworth tossing the 2 kg discus 45.63 meters (149’8”), for second place and a personal best. Dan will be a sophomore at the University Illinois and is trying to earn a spot on the U of I Track Team. In the high school division, Evan Sweeny threw a personal best to win the competion with a throw of 47.89 meters (157’1”). The winner of the girls’ discus was a collegian Gabby Yaccino. Gabby took the blue ribbon with a throw of 41.36 meters (135’8”) and broke the women’s collegiate field record. Way to go Gabby!
Javelin had many first time throwers. It was great to see all these new athletes giving it a heave. The crown went to triple winner Peyton Panka with a throw of 37.37 meters. Congratulations to all you new Jav Throwers.
Girls Hammer Winners (L to R): Peyton Panka – 1st, Brianna Ramsey – 2nd, Sharron Kagan – 3rd
Boys Discus Winners (L to R): Luke Hatten – 3rd, Evan Sweeney – 1st, Daniel Coxworth – 2nd
Girls Discus Winners (L to R): Arisa Bisofa – 3rd, Gabby Yaccino – 1st, Sharron Kagan- 2nd