Following Egg Harbor Township’s victory at the Group IV Males’ Relays, NJRunners caught up with Egg Harbor Township throwers, Kofi Yamoah and James Plummer.
“Both of us were trying to come out and throw for the overall state record instead of just the Group IV record, which is about 115 and change,” said Plummer. That’s what we were hoping to get here today, but unfortunately we couldn’t quite get it.
Painfully, Yamoah’s and Plummer’s 109-01.00 also fell just short of the Group IV record set in 1984 by Toms River East at 110-09.50.
“We came out here with big expectations, we both want to get into the 60 foot range,” said Yamoah. “It just wasn’t happening, our form was getting there, but at least we did win first and we can go home with a medal and pat ourselves on the back for now.”
Egg Harbor Township won by a comfortable margin over JFK Paterson, despite David Smith’s toss of 57-06.25. Even without Yamoah’s final and best throw of 55-01.75, Egg Harbor Township would have still pulled out with gold.
“Our next meet will be at the New Balance games, which is another relay,” said Plummer. “Hopefully Kofi and I will have out technique down by then and were going to work hard in practice to reach 60.”
“Technique, technique. There are just little things we need to fix,” said Yamoah. “Those little things are what’s preventing us from hitting 60 feet, and this week were going to work on it until we get it.”
It is evident that both athletes are physically strong, and even if they are not where they want to be technique-wise, they both command meet winning capabilities. Look for Egg Harbor Township as they plan to travel up the Garden State Parkway to the Armory in New York City for the New Balance Games on January 26. Plummer and Yamoah have full intentions of breaking records there as well.