Off the track and to the side, the Hamilton Southeastern girls’ throwing team huddles together near the throwing ring, surrounded by shot puts, discus, and their own little community. As a team that is very close in friendship, they motivate each other with jokes and confidence before they prepare to throw. While they may be a part of the team that isn’t always remembered, they bring crucial points for their team.
The HSE girls’ throwing team, which participates in both throwing and discus, has ramped up more of a commotion for themselves this season. In previous seasons, the team was smaller, they weren’t as connected, and they lacked the support that they gained this season. They practice daily at the same time as the track athletes, but instead of practicing endurance, running, and agility, they oftentimes practice the same throwing motions over and over again until they get it right.
“I feel like what people don’t realize about throwing events is that they’re actually really hard and very competitive,” says senior thrower Mame Fall. “Throwing is an actual sport.”
While throwers may not be the first people that come to mind when people go to a track and field meet, they are a staple part of the team and are an intense and exciting event to watch compete. And some throwers on the team, like senior Leah Brigham, have felt extremely rewarded being on the team, even though they were late bloomers.
“My proudest moment as a thrower was, since I got started late, making varsity,” Brigham explains. “It’s a pretty big accomplishment to me because I feel like I’ve worked towards it, and I’ve made a lot of progress in my short time being here.”
As mentioned previously, although many people may think it is, throwing is not an easy sport. Mame Fall argues this by saying that even though one may think their technique is foolproof, it can turn out to be unhelpful in the long run.
“…It’s very hard. You might figure out that your technique isn’t very beneficial to you,” Fall says. “It’s hard to get it down [one’s technique] and be fast.”
And even though throwing is a tough sport mentally and physically, it’s a sport that has reaped many benefits for these girls. They’ve created and maintained friendships, supported each other on and off the field, and they encourage other girls to join this sport, even if it is for the first time.
“Go up and talk to any of the girls…and go talk to Coach Bird,” says senior Katie Wooden. “We would love to have anybody really, it’s wonderful being there. We’re always open to having new people.”
The Hamilton Southeastern Girls’ throwers have built a space that they can call their own. They’ve created a community where they can support, practice, and uplift each other. They are also evidence that throwing isn’t just about training hard, but it can simultaneously be an extremely rewarding sport. And for anyone who would like to join, it’s clear that there is always room in the ring for you!
