Streit punches likely ticket to Drake in the discus

HCHS senior ranks 12th in the state with winning toss of 126-1 at LC Invite; Cyclone girls place second, boys eighth

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- An off day in the shot put only served as motivation when it came time for Gillian Streit to throw the discus at Tuesday’s Lewis Central Co-Ed Track Meet.
 Three spins later, the Harlan Community senior had all but locked up a coveted spot in next week’s Drake Relays.
 With absolutely zero help from the wind, Streit launched her three best discus throws of the season in succession - all more than 120 feet - during the second flight of prelims, winning the event with a personal best of 126 feet, one inch.
 Streit’s new ‘PR’ mark ranked her 12th in the state (all classes) as of Wednesday with just one day left to improve performances for Drake Relays’ qualifying purposes. The state’s top 24 throwers will compete in “America’s Athletic Classic” next Thursday.
 Tuesday’s effort couldn’t have been much more timely for Streit, who last year missed out on Drake before throwing 120 feet, 10 inches just days after the qualifying deadline.
 “I’m ecstatic,” she said. “That was my main goal this year because I knew I could get it. I was so close last year. Just to get the 126 and actually make it to Drake, it’s pretty exciting.”
 Streit’s impressive showcase in the discus followed a fourth-place effort in the shot put that left her disappointed but motivated. Her top throw of 33-10 in the shot was four feet short of her season/career best.
 “If I do bad in the shot, it helps with the disc because it’s like, ‘OK, I can put all my anger from there into the disc and throw well,’” she said, also admitting that a good warmup and sound technique were beneficial.
 “I was hitting my positions correctly, getting a good pull, getting a good release and it just flew.”
 Streit’s discus victory was one of two golds earned by the Cyclone girls, who scored 102 points and placed a close second behind Sioux City East (109) in the final team standings. Glenwood placed third in the 11-team field with 92 points.
 The Cyclone boys, meanwhile, scored the majority of their 48.5 points in the field events - highlighted by Austin Smith’s long jump win - and finished eighth as a team. Glenwood was the boys team champion with 134.5 points, followed by Lewis Central (129) and Atlantic (84).

 
 

 

Harlan Newspapers

1114 7th Street
P.O. Box 721
Harlan, IA 51537-0721

(800) 909-6397
news2@harlanonline.com

Comment Here