Stephen came into the indoor season with a 56-4 PR from last spring. It didn't take him long to dramatically improve on that as he went 59-9.5 on December 20. Then the week between groups and MOC came the big one at the Garfield Classic, a 62-4 that put him at second on the Bergen County all-time list behind only the legenday Steve Adams of St Joe's Montvale. While he didn't improve on that throw a few days later at MOC, he did get second place. At the Easterns, he improved yet again to 62-11.5, moving even closer to that record. He goes into the New Balance Indoor Nationals with that 65-10 of Adams' in his sights.
And yet, the shot is not even his favorite event! He's a 177-9 performer in the discus and has major plans for that implement this spring.
1. When did you become interested in throwing? What interested you about it?
I actually wasn’t. My brothers were throwers and I was chubby and slow like my brothers. I ran track as a sprinter to get faster for basketball and football. My friend, Anthony, was a thrower and was bored one day of practice so he forced me to throw with him. From there I just started liking it more and more.
2. How many times a week do you throw versus lifting? How will that change if at all for the spring when you need to practice with the discus?
I throw and lift almost everyday when I can if I don’t have a meet in the near future. During the beginning of outdoor before the meets I intend to get much stronger from being in the weight room a lot.
3. What is your lifting routine for an average week?
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday is upper body. Tuesday and Friday is lower body.
4. Which event do you prefer – the shot or the discus?
Discus. No question about it.
5. You PRed at 59-9.5 the first meet of indoors – almost 3 and a half feet ahead of your outdoor best and more than 9 feet better than last winter. To what do you attribute that huge improvement?
Cross country season. I got a lot of coaching and got a lot stronger both physically and mentally. Nothing makes a thrower more mentally strong than knowing that he has to run two more miles when he has already ran one.
6. Last winter’s season best also occurred in December. What have you done to ensure that you throw your best in the big meets at the end of this season?
I don’t know. I’m not the type of person who is ever satisfied so I keep working hard all year. I’m just going to keep hoping for the best that I compete well and even PR in all the big meets in my future.
7. What goals do you have for the rest of indoors?
To hit 65-10. I want the county record so badly.
8. What do you do when you’re not throwing or lifting? What is fun for you?
I hang out a lot. I’m a very relaxed person. I love playing video games like Madden and NBA 2k11. I also play a lot of basketball and football with my friends.
9. Do you intend to throw in college? Have you made a decision where you are going yet?
Yes, I’m definitely throwing in college and no, I have not made a decision yet.
10. What is the funniest thing you’ve ever seen at a track meet or in practice?
One meet of champs I was raking the long jump pit and someone was vaulting right next to it. The pole suddenly snapped and a chunk flew really high in the air. Someone yelled “ROGUE POLE VAULT” and I just started running in circles because I had no idea where it was going to land. It ended up just hitting the floor hard and everyone just went back to the meet.
11. What kind of music do you like and who is your favorite artist?
I like rap, hip hop, and R&B. My favorite artist is either Kanye West or Lupe Fiasco
12. You ran 24:05 in the Big North XC Championships in October. What the heck was that all about? Are you a better sprinter or distance runner?
Well I don’t know. I’m surprised as much as you but if running helps me to throw further, I’ll do it. I’m definitely a better sprinter. Just a bit too heavy to be a distance runner.