Staff writer
It was a trying performance for Peabody-Burns senior Lucas Larsen in the discus and javelin Friday at the James Thomas Invitational in Hillsboro.
Despite the cold, wet conditions that made both implements difficult to grip, Larsen finished second in the discus with a throw of 120 feet, 8.5 inches and fourth in the javelin, 133-2.
“If it wasn’t wet, I would have thrown a lot further,” Larsen said.
Larsen was motivated in the meet competing against athletes from 3A and 4A schools. He said the competition shows him where he is at as a thrower.
“I love big meets,” Larsen said.
Larsen is analyzing his skill because he wants to qualify for state in the discus and possibly javelin as well. He knows he needs to keep his head up on his two spins on his discus throws, looking down leads him to lose balance and knock yards off a throw. In discus, Larsen has cleared 132 feet this season. His goal is to reach 140.
For javelin, he needs to get as much power as possible off his last step before he launches the lance down the field. His throw on Friday was more than 20 feet less than his season best.
Throws coach Isaac Burnett is slightly less ambitious than Larsen. He wants the senior thrower to reach the mid-130s consistently before regionals, May 17.
It’s not that he does not believe in Larsen; in fact, he thinks Larsen has the proper combination of technique and strength to make noise at post-season meets.
Burnett has a unique perspective on Larsen’s ability. This is Burnett’s first season as a coach for Peabody. He was a senior when Larsen was a freshman.
“It’s fun to see how much farther he’s come along,” Burnett said.
The small age difference has not fazed Larsen; he considered Burnett a mentor when they were on the same team.
“I completely respect everything he says,” Larsen added.
Other results
The Peabody-Burns boys’ team had a good meet at Hillsboro placing sixth of 14 teams, but no one more than senior Seth Topham.
Topham won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.69 seconds. He placed third in the high jump, 6 feet, and 300 hurdles, 43.62 a new season best.
Topham led the way for the Warriors with a 3, 4, 5, with Braxton Kyle, and Cody Partridge both jumping 5-6.
Zach Preheim also finished fifth in the 110 hurdles with a time of 18.08.