Throwers get chance at the spotlight

In a way, the IronWood Throws Classic is unique.

Not many places will you find rising athletes in the high school and college ranks mixed in with Olympic hopefuls in various events.

That’s exactly what unfolded at the IronWood Training Center in Rathdrum last Friday and Saturday.

IN CASE you missed it, competitors from around the country took part in the hammer throw, javelin, discus and shot put over the weekend.

Area throwers included former Coeur d’Alene High standout Grady Leonard and Lake City High senior Emily Hernandez.

Friday’s events included the javelin and discus, where Leonard competed as a high school competitor in 2017.

“I’m still learning the hammer, or I might have tried that,” said Leonard, who redshirted this year at Nebraska. “I’d like to have thrown the discus, but it didn’t work out.”

The event was put on by throws guru Bart Templeman, a former North Idaho College assistant track and field coach and founder of the IronWood Throws Club.

“He’s been everything for me,” Leonard said of Templeman. “He’s kind of done it all. He’s got the best facilities and coaches here. You really can’t beat it.”

And those in the open division weren’t shy about sharing knowledge with the younger competitors.

“One of the girls from Concordia (Chase Ealey),” Hernandez said, “she told me she used to be a glider instead of a rotator, and she was giving me tips and telling me what to do.”

Shortly after receiving her advice, Hernandez threw her best mark of the meet at 13.06 meters (42 feet, 3 1/2 inches).

“It wasn’t that big of a throw, but it was big for me,” Hernandez said. “It was super cool for me. Everyone is welcoming and so nice, and it was good to see.”

Hernandez has signed with New Mexico State.

“It was really nice to compete one last time, especially here,” Hernandez said. “Honestly I’m just excited to move somewhere out of Idaho and somewhere different. It’s definitely going to be a lot different than being in Idaho. I’m excited for the new experiences.”

YOU HAVE to hand it to the organizers of the event.

At some meets, the throwing events are often a second thought, sometimes off far away from the running and jumping events for the safety of everyone involved.

For at least a couple of days, those throwers had the spotlight and all the focus on them, no matter how far they threw or didn’t throw.

As far as injuries, maybe just a few spectators wound up with some sunburns at the most.

After the spring that athletes in this area had, chances are they’d take that over another meet in the pouring rain.

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.