Throwers take center stage at MCI’s Husky Throwdown

PITTSFIELD — Trey Goodwin takes every inch he can get for his running start.

There’s no space that the Lawrence High School senior won’t take if given to him on his sprint toward the foul line on the javelin arena. In this year’s Husky Throwdown at Maine Central Institute, that means starting a matter of feet from the football goal post, running approximately 30 yards and flinging the spear as hard as his body will allow.

“I’m not as big as some of the other throwers, so I like to use the runway for a lot of speed to get myself into the throw,” Goodwin said. “Some of these guys are able to take three or four steps and just muscle it, but I need that bit of a run-up.”

Indeed, the approaches taken toward the line vary from full-fledged full-ups à la Goodwin’s to simple step-and-throws. Yet no matter the delivery methods, the tosses from some of the state’s best javelin, discus and shot put competitors all land cleanly and draw ovations from those in attendance for one of the state’s largest — and most eccentric — regular season meets.

More than 300 throwers came to MCI on Saturday for the Throwdown, now in its seventh year. The meet gave throwers a chance to take center stage away from the running events as well as an opportunity to size up the competition with the midway point in the season nearing.

Maine Central Institute’s Shalomi Geowey competes in the javelin at the Husky Throwdown on Saturday in Pittsfield. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

No event, not even the end-of-season state championship meets, will feature this many throwers present in one location. It’s a long day with competitors in the shot put, discus and javelin competing in multiple seeded flights and the top competitors then advancing to the finals.

For throwers, though, the late-morning trip to Pittsfield and long hours on the MCI football, field hockey and soccer fields are worth it. With no runners to steal the spotlight away, this is a moment for those who specialize in the throwing events to truly shine.

“I love throwing; it’s probably one of my favorite things, so it’s great to go somewhere where it’s all throwing events,” said Lawrence senior Caitlyn Mayo. “You get to see all the really good throwers from everywhere. It’s a great chance for competition.”

Although it’s not officially a championship event, the Husky Throwdown certainly has a championship atmosphere. The larger crowd size and dozens of team tents lining the MCI fields give a feel of a regional or state meet, and the seedings and finals events are departures from other meets this time of year.

That, MCI head coach Jason Allen said, was the goal when the school first came up with the idea of the Husky Throwdown in 2015. The competition — the only MCI home meet of the year — needed its own calling card, and Allen wanted to make sure it was an event Maine throwers would remember.

“I think when we were first brainstorming this a few years ago, we wanted to give it that kind of atmosphere,” Allen said. “The kids all love it. You see all the people wearing the ‘Husky Throwdown’ shirts at other meets late in the year, and it’s great.”

Skowhegan High School’s Colby Carrier competes in the javelin at the Husky Throwdown on Saturday in Pittsfield. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Many of the competitors from Saturday’s event will meet again down the line in the conference, regional or state championships. Athletes and coaches get a great chance to see how they stack up against the competition and even exchange techniques with one another.

“A lot of times, these kids will see each other’s names on Sub5 and MileSplit, but they don’t actually know or interact with each other,” Allen said. “This is great because they can all come together and be in one place. We love being able to make that happen.”

It was an even better occasion during a track and field season that’s seen many meets have been derailed by poor weather — a particular bane for throwing events that require strong grips. The warm(er) weather made for a better athlete and spectator experience, and the breeze, though noticeable, wasn’t strong enough to carry the spears, discs and cast-iron balls.

“I think we all needed a day like this,” Mayo said. “We’ve all had so many rainy days, and it’s been awful. This is 100 percent better, for sure.”