At most track meets, the attention is on the sprinters and long-distance runners. However, the effort and skill Lincoln’s javelin athletes put into their sport should not go unnoticed.
Junior Emerson Pitzer joined track because she was intrigued by the uniqueness of javelin.
“I thought it looked interesting, and the head coach encouraged me to try something I hadn’t done before,” said Pitzer.
During a recent meet at Jefferson High School, Pitzer threw a new personal record of 117 feet, nine inches.
Although javelin may not seem very demanding, both Pitzer and sophomore Neven Josipovic said there are aspects of javelin that require certain skills and concentration that may come as a shock.
Pitzer described how javelin is not just physically demanding but also mentally draining.
“One of the hardest things about javelin has to be either the amount of precision needed or the mental blocks,” said Pitzer.
Josipovic agreed, saying that small details warrant very different outcomes in javelin.
“The hardest part of the event is how tiny little details, like the angle of the javelin, matter,” Josipovic said. “Those little details separate the really good throwers from the best.”
Josipovic joined javelin after being encouraged by Lincoln PE teacher and javelin coach Ken Weinberg.
“He saw me last year and asked if I’d come to some practices, and that’s what started it.”
Promptly after joining the team, Josipovic rapidly improved, earning a 140-foot throw his freshman year during a meet at Roosevelt High School.
Despite javelin requiring physical endurance, both Pitzer and Josipovic emphasize the mental aspects of the sport. Pitzer said support from coaches and loved ones keeps her motivated through difficult practices and meets.
“What keeps me going is knowing that hard work eventually pays off,” Pitzer said.
Josipovic said a competitive team boosts his drive for improvement.
“Seeing them improve creates a competitive sense for me,” Josipovic said. “That drives me a lot to get better.”
Javelin has taught both athletes lessons outside of the sport. Pitzer said that javelin taught her that consistency and positivity matter, even when faced with difficult situations. Josipovic said javelin has helped him become more patient.
“Javelin has taught me to not rush improvement and focus on making sure what I am already doing is good,” Josipovic said.
Although javelin athletes are not always in the limelight, Lincoln’s javelin throwers prove their event deserves attention too, both for how impressive it is and for the work it takes to succeed.
