I want to go to the Olympics in 2012

My name is Devon Hall and I am a Sophomore at Clay City High School. I started throwing last year because my brother was running hurdles and I had to wait after school for him to get done in track practice before I could get a ride.

I wasn't really into it at first but as the season went on I really liked it. We had some great throwers when I was a freshman so I didn't place last year at all.

At the end of the school year the track coach who was also the Health teacher asked us to set a goal for next year. My goal? To break the school record before I graduated in discus which was 146'9".

So all of our good Seniors graduated last year and our throwing team is pretty young. Our oldest thrower would have been a Junior but he was let off the teams for academic reasons.

My season started kind of slow and I placed third in our first meet with a measly throw of 98 feet.

I decided to double my workouts and throw more at school and at home. Our next meet I threw 104' and took a second place. With each meet I gained progressively more distance and at our Conference meet I really thought I had a chance of placing.

Let's face it, I am just a Sophomore and the other schools had Seniors throwing good distances. I know the thrower from North Central normally throws 130's so I expected a 3rd or 4th place finish. My first throw was a scratch. The wind was blowing so hard and if your discus turned even a hair the wind caught it and slammed it to the ground. So my next throw, that is exactly what happened and it measured 98'. At this point both my coach and my girlfriend walked away not wanting to see what happens. My third throw I managed to get out to 124 feet plus a few inches. A good throw for me, might have been a personal best. The leader who was two throwers before me was in the lead with 135 feet. After his last throw he started getting congratulated and high fives for his "win". I stood up for my last throw and concentrated hard on my technique and release. When I released the discus I knew it was a good throw. Not to look freaking nuts with excitement I bit my lip and watched them measure. He announced the distance and a look of shock was on my face.... 136'7". Not only a major personal best but also enough to take the win at the Tri River Conference.

I am on to SWAIC this Friday and hope I do as well as I did last Friday and then on to Sectionals on May 15 at Terre Haute North Vigo.

Visit often for more updates.

If you are interested in helping me with funds to go to the Throwers Camps and equipment, my mom is selling some great stuff on Ebay. Check out the link to the right.