11.02.2003
Where to begin? Since my last post we have tested our dead lift, had a summer like weather system come through the North of Ohio, Stewart Togher arrived to help post colligate hammer throwers and the news papers keep writing about the same things over and over . . .
It has been a rather busy seven days to say the very least. However, with that being said I have some interesting notes and stories to relay to those that actually find what I have to say interesting.
I will start back in time a little bit and work forward from where my last journal entry left off. The start of this week was one of intensity with the inevitable reality of the "dead lift" on Tuesday, ah the dead lift. That was going to be one ball breaker of a day I could just feel it and you know, I was right! The group new that something was in the air and that expectation was on the line, athletes were going to be tested and emotion was going to be left on the platform. The young colligates where going to start the fire, and they did not disappoint! Mike Anderson, a 6'8" red shirt freshman, laid down the proverbial gauntlet with a mighty 500lbs pull! Not too bad for a kid that is still growing into his potential! . From there the bar became increasingly ominous with 45's bulging off the sides like an over loaded Orr truck from the mines of my youth
The first of the big pullers took apart 600, with AG and Joe doing it raw! Some serious grip strength on their part was displayed. Kibwe was the first 600+ plus athlete taking down 650 with a command. I opened at 650 and stroked it through with a solid opening effort. After that lift there was only one place to go and that was 675lbs. I attacked the bar first with the usual gusto that I conjure up on the day and smoked the weight. 675 was easier than the 650, because the fear of the weight was gone. Kibwe stormed back with a powerful attempt at 675, but just missed a complete lockout out with the bar. Powerful none the less. The day was an exciting one and the girls did not disappoint, there were some great lifts from sophomore Tiffany Summers, who cranked out 405 raw! And Roberta Collins who took down 535! You read it right a 535 dead from Roberta, anyone who questions whether or not Roberta is one of the strongest women in the world just needs to come visit Ashland Ohio some day!
Our next day of interest was Sunday, or today for those that have figured out when I write this crazy journal entry. Jud brought in Stewart at his own expense as an opportunity for the post colligate hammer throwers to hear another perspective. I have never had the opportunity to work with Stewart, and today was very interesting. We covered some complex ideas early on do to their unfamiliarity, before progressing to full throws with that hammer. I have personally struggled with the entry of my throw and the positions of the winds. Stewart had me change my entry 100%. The concepts were very foreign, but the results where right up my alley, I started putting rhythm throws in my upper range with the 16 without even thinking about it. One more piece of the puzzle out of the way! The rest of the group had varied results with the changes in the entry and some of us where challenged to or outer limits as only Stewart can do, but the information was interesting and the concepts intriguing. The college group, has a very unique opportunity tomorrow as they will get to train under Stewart’s guide as well. I have one to two more sessions before Tuesday afternoon and I am curious to see if I can lock in the new feeling on the entry for the rest of the season.
