NYSPHSAA T&F: WALTER HITS 150 FEET, BREAKS SCHOOL RECORD IN TAKING 6TH IN FEDERATION IN DISCUS (5 PHOTOS) (2022-06-11)

By Brian Fees
Tioga County Sports Report
CICERO — Elliott Walter had a goal heading into Saturday’s discus championship.

The Spencer-Van Etten senior wanted to hit 150 feet and capture a state medal. After getting to 148-feet on Saturday, he had a strong second throw on Saturday before breaking through with the school record on his third throw of the day, hitting a 150-foot, 1-inch throw to finish with a sixth-place Federation medal.

“It feels good,” Walter said. “I was definitely nervous. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be here, and I still had some goals I wanted to hit.”

After placing fourth in Division 2 on Friday, and getting himself into the federation final, Walter knew he was ready for a big day Saturday.

“It did give me a little bit (of confidence), because I was able to get a new PR of 148, so I knew I was really, really close to my goal.”

On Saturday Walter felt like it might be his day.

“I thought so, I felt good after yesterday,” Walter said.

And, on Saturday he started building up to the big throw. After hitting for 140-feet, 7-inches on his first throw, he had a new PR of 149-feet, 4-inches on his second throw, before getting the 150. Walter broke the school record, which was just over 149 feet, set in 2011 by Ben Beauchamp.

“I think I did a good job of building on each throw,” Walter said.

For Walter throwing on Friday helped give him some momentum going into Saturday.

“I think that was a big part just going two days back-to-back, I was able to keep it fresh in my mind,” Walter said.

And, after competing on Friday the nerves were a lot better on Saturday.

“I didn’t feel as stressed, I relaxed a little bit,” Walter said.

For Walter it was fun competing with the best throwers in the state, in an event where Alessandro Salesman of Fonda-Fultonville threw 182-feet, 5-inches to win the Federation title.

“That was really fun, I haven’t been able to see that before,” Walter said. “I have never seen anyone throw as far as some of those guys do, so it was fun.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES