In the first two rounds of the finals both Alleman and Vena did not produce longer throws.Alleman had great efforts though fouling twice with throws in the 63’-64’ range and Vena reaching 61’8 and 58’-2” respectively.
As the sixth and final round began both throwers paced back and forth staying ready knowing that at any one time each could exhaust an effort that would take the crown.The UConn bound Alleman entered the circle for his final throw with a vengeance but could not better what Vena had done in the prelims.After the official read the distance…61’-10”…Mike knew that Nick had bettered him this time around.Alleman being the quiet classy young man that he is went over to Nick and shook his hand congratulating him on the Victory.Now it was Vena’s time to let it all go and the crowd erupted in applause cheering on the freshman phenom.The southpaw rotated through the 7’ circle with powerful controlled aggression releasing the ball with great extension sending it way over the 65’ tape line on the Bennett Indoor Complex floor.The crowd erupted once again as the official read the tape measure…66’-3/4”.Vena had not only won the NJ State Shot Put title but also set a New National Class Freshman Record.Vena’s throw earned him the honor of having the longest throw in the country thus far this year in all classes.
The girl’s shot put produced excitement as well with 7 athletes breaking the prestigious 40’ barrier.Brick Twp Senior DeAnne Hahn stole the show heaving the 4kg shot put 46’-1 ½’.The University of Minnesota bound Hahn dwarfed the field producing 4 of the longest tosses of the day including 45’-5”, 45’-6” and 45’-4”.The big battle though on the girls side was for second place where Brick Twp Junior Lisa Stuto outdistanced Toms River Senior Maureen Laffan 44’-6” to 44’-1 ½” respectively.Stuto’s performance was a personal best and could not have come at a better time giving the Brick Twp throwers a 1-2 finish in the event.Jackson Memorial Junior Shannon Watt who has been the most consistent thrower of the year thus far finished fourth with a very respectable throw of 42’-9”.Watt has made some very noticeable technical improvements to her rotational technique that will make her a force to be reckoned with come outdoors.Rounding out the top 5 was Mendham Senior Sarah Bella with a throw of 40’-10 ¼” who gutted out the effort working through some leg tightness.
All in all both the boy’s and girl’s shot put events lived up to the hype and it makes me extremely proud that NJ is producing nationally ranked throwers.It is our job as coaches to give these athletes as much attention and exposure as possible and in doing so may give them an opportunity to move on and compete at the next level.I look forward to what the future has to bring from our youngsters and to those who have committed themselves to college programs.I was honored that Pat Montferrat from NJRunners.com (milesplit.us affiliate) asked me to write a summary on the shot put at the MOC’s.He knows my passion for the throws and the importance for these athletes to get recognition for their hard work and efforts.Hey we all know that the shot put is not one of the glamour events but today at the MOC’s it surely “Rocked the Bubble”…What a show!!!!!!
Joe Napoli
Worlds Longest Throw Club NJ President
National Throws Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Chairman
