I know a boy going into his SR year that threw the discus in the mid 150's last year. Does anyone know what level of college he should be trying to get a scholarship?
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PERSONAL TRACK QUESTION
- Thread starter sycamorebacker
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Too typically compete at the state championship you gotta be above 160'. If you are throwing in the 170s you are trying to get on the podium and anything in the 180s or above is going to be around your state champion mark. But to answer your question it's pretty hard to tell with just that information. If this kid is throwing 180 consistently then he could probably get a scholarship to a school in any conference. BBBBUUUUTTTT I can't remember the exact number track only has like 13 scholarships they can divide and give out to their team; and that INCLUDES cross country. So you are talking about 13 scholarships for 60-70 guys, you can do the math. Basically, to be on a full ride you have to be near the top in the NATION. To get a full ride out of high school you have to be a special talent.
But on the flip side, Track and Field is one of the easiest sports to walk-on as and show what you got to earn some sort of scholarship. And there are "throwing" events that could raise or lower his stock. If he is a one trick pony you have to be real good at the trick to have value so it's best to be good at other things. But luckily there is javelin (outdoor), hammer (outdoor), shot put(indoor/outdoor), discus (outdoor), and weight throw (indoor). If you can score points at the conference level in multiple events you will scholarships.
My advise, go to whatever school best fits your academic/financial needs first. There is a 99% he will at least be able to walk-on to any school and you never know what will happen from there
But on the flip side, Track and Field is one of the easiest sports to walk-on as and show what you got to earn some sort of scholarship. And there are "throwing" events that could raise or lower his stock. If he is a one trick pony you have to be real good at the trick to have value so it's best to be good at other things. But luckily there is javelin (outdoor), hammer (outdoor), shot put(indoor/outdoor), discus (outdoor), and weight throw (indoor). If you can score points at the conference level in multiple events you will scholarships.
My advise, go to whatever school best fits your academic/financial needs first. There is a 99% he will at least be able to walk-on to any school and you never know what will happen from there
Thanks for your very thorough response. I knew scholarship $ was limited. Hoping he can get a financial aid package. He has one deaf ear. Wonder if that can get him some money.
Not that easy if a question to answer. I don’t know anything about throwing events - I mean nothing. But -
1. Is he in Indiana?
2. Did he make the state meet?
3. If yes, what place was he?
Generally speaking in Indiana and he placed in the state meet as a JR then he’s probably got a chance to go D1. But as with anything it’s not just about what he’s thrown today - it’s about his physical and mental characteristics, his work ethic - what do D1 coaches think they can get him to throw. In other words does he have room for improvement?
If he didn’t make the state meet then he shouldn’t be worried about throwing in college at any level - he should be focused on getting better and making the state meet. More shorter term goals.
Lastly, track and field scholarships are not like basketball and football scholarships. I think the track team only has 13 or 14 scholarships on the men’s side. Most of those get broken down into half and quarter scholarships - rarely is anyone on a full ride scholarship. Also - if he goes anywhere other than D1 they don’t offer athletic scholarships. Something to consider.
1. Is he in Indiana?
2. Did he make the state meet?
3. If yes, what place was he?
Generally speaking in Indiana and he placed in the state meet as a JR then he’s probably got a chance to go D1. But as with anything it’s not just about what he’s thrown today - it’s about his physical and mental characteristics, his work ethic - what do D1 coaches think they can get him to throw. In other words does he have room for improvement?
If he didn’t make the state meet then he shouldn’t be worried about throwing in college at any level - he should be focused on getting better and making the state meet. More shorter term goals.
Lastly, track and field scholarships are not like basketball and football scholarships. I think the track team only has 13 or 14 scholarships on the men’s side. Most of those get broken down into half and quarter scholarships - rarely is anyone on a full ride scholarship. Also - if he goes anywhere other than D1 they don’t offer athletic scholarships. Something to consider.
Sounds on point. My HS buddy's son (Jason Swarens) threw low 160s at South. I think he is up to higher 170s now at Wisconsin. IIRC, that was considered his weaker event compared to the shot put.
Did he get $?
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I didn’t see this response before typing my response… lol nailed it! Sorry to be redundant wasn’t trying to talk over you - I walked in a meeting and finished my post after the meeting not knowing you had replied!
Thanks SSOM for your input. He was at state but did not do well. He’s 6’3”, 240 lbs and strong. He’s in the 160’s now and I am hoping for 170’s this year. Unfortunately, he hasn’t tried other events other than the shot. He has 2 aunts that were All-state pitchers so I would like to see him try the javelin. One of his aunts had the strongest arm on her softball team at IU.
I've never asked.
If he wasn't, I'm sure he worked his way into something. He is doing some Team USA thing last time I saw his dad post.
See that kind of stuff right? That is interesting to coaches that are trying to evaluate if the kid is made for the next level - so the kids had so so result of the state meet, he’s got good genetics, he’s got a good work ethic, he’s got a desire to go, D1, Lord knows if he’s getting good high school coaching or not if he’s not then he’s got a lot of room for growth… Like you start to paint a picture of a kid that would be worth a walk-on spot.
But as Treeman and I mentioned those track scholarships are pretty hard to come by he should feel pretty fortunate if he finds a program that will let him walk on based on everything you’ve said, and tries to earn himself some money about the only way you’re gonna earn money in the score points for your team at conference meets. Points are worth money!
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Swarens probably got money to go to Wisconsin.
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Yep, sounds a lot like my fraternity brother David Fribley. Except he wasn't 6'3" 240, but he was country strong like a no other and would work fucking day and night.
For the life of me I can’t recall what % of or a scholarship share that I earned while at Indiana State but I they find ways… I started out on some Alumni Association Scholarship and got my books paid for. By the start of my Soph year I had earned like 5% of a scholarship. By the time I was done it might have gotten to 15% but I doubt it was ever much more than that if even that.
I’ve probably told this story on here before and it’s funny and worth repeating… I vividly recall sitting across from John McNichols on my visit knowing they wanted me to walk-on and knowing my teammate in HS who I felt like I was pretty equivalent too had just got a pretty strong offer from State - I said, “you know I should be getting a scholarship offer” and his response was basically you’re going to get an opportunity to prove that and the rest is history. I mean the unearned arrogance to sit across from McNichols and tell him that is so ridiculous! But man am I forever greatful and blessed to have had that opportunity to compete for Indiana State and be coached by some of the best in the business.
I’ve probably told this story on here before and it’s funny and worth repeating… I vividly recall sitting across from John McNichols on my visit knowing they wanted me to walk-on and knowing my teammate in HS who I felt like I was pretty equivalent too had just got a pretty strong offer from State - I said, “you know I should be getting a scholarship offer” and his response was basically you’re going to get an opportunity to prove that and the rest is history. I mean the unearned arrogance to sit across from McNichols and tell him that is so ridiculous! But man am I forever greatful and blessed to have had that opportunity to compete for Indiana State and be coached by some of the best in the business.
Yes, I am grateful for softball. I think they get about 13 scholarships and there's not many more than that on the team. My daughters got 6 yrs of full ride. I don't know any other minor sports that are that lucrative.
Of course we had to spend thousands for practice and experience over many years and full time travel in the summer.
Of course we had to spend thousands for practice and experience over many years and full time travel in the summer.
Yup that's the key to being valuable in the throws, be decent-to-good in multiple events. Good news hardly any high schoolers have ever picked up a hammer or weight throw so everyone is in the same boat when they get on college campus. Fortunately being good at discus typically translates well for the hammer (good at spinner, taller, longer, quick, etc.) Weight throw throw is nearly a hybrid of shot-put and hammer; you have to be real good at spinning, long arms help, but also being strong like a shot-putter is valuable. Then the kicker is Javelin, only states that have high school javelin are west coast, east coast and a few in the middle like Kansas. Typically Javelin competition is pretty weak in the midwest just because it's a sport nobody focuses on around here. So if you are an athlete and understand basic throwing mechanics you can get decent at the javelin and score in the conference meet pretty easily - which creates value.
He's throwing consistently in the 160's now and has been admitted academically to ISU. Does anyone know anything about the Mechanical Engineering Tech degree?
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It's been around a long time; lotta those kids write their own salaries
thanks