Shot put might look like a simple event, but behind every throw is a mix of strength, technique and relentless determination. Luke Youngberg and Lili King have improved greatly along their track season, both displaying leadership skills and hard resolve. No matter what happens, no disappointing moments will decide how the season turns out for them both.
Senior Lili King has been on the Grant throwing team for her whole high school career. King’s first time hearing about throwing for track is from Dean Wodzien. King says that her goal is to make it to state this year and show how her hard work and the talks her coaches gave her really paid off. In King’s junior year, she ended up fracturing her spine and had to wear a brace while throwing. “Now that my back is healed, I feel a drastic change,” King says. King has grown in performance and leadership. During every meet King takes time in between her throws to better her technique so she can hit that goal. While also cheering on her teammates at the same time. King was really happy when she committed to Carthage College for wrestling. She was originally going for wrestling and track but decided to go for just wrestling due to the conflict between both sports. King’s favorite part about being on the Grant track and field team is “ The very positive environment, and just all around track meets in general are always very welcoming and super supportive.” Even though King won’t be able to throw in college she still left a huge mark on the sport itself and reflects on how the sport helped her grow self discipline.
Luke Youngberg is a junior and joined the throwing team his sophomore year though he did play prior in middle school and returned back due to missing the sport and environment that surrounded it. Youngberg expresses that he was at first always upset with how hard it was to relearn the sport in general. Taking time to perfect his technique and continue to get all of the basics down just so he can get one good throw during a meet or practice. One thing that Youngberg remembered was “Even when you do bad, try not dwell on it too much,”. Youngberg wishes to throw in college but also has conflict with both football and track. He doesn’t know what college that he wants to go to; but still wants to go to a college that is okay with him being a two sport athlete. Youngberg’s favorite part about being on the Grant’s track and field team is being able to meet new people at every track meet and “all coming together towards one common goal; which is to get 1% better everyday.”
King and Youngberg are both very proud of everything they have both done and experienced during their time on the team. With helping each other and others around them grow bigger and better people. Leaving a huge mark on what a role model is and changing the expectations for GCHS’s track and field team.
