Armory All Stars - 2008 Boys Team

Armory Athlete of the Season

Nick Vena, Fr., Morristown (N.J.)

When he came in the building the whispers started, “Vena is here.” Because in the seclusion of the throwing cage, the masses had to be alerted that he was here, like alerting the audience that the show in the rear corner of the arena would begin in minutes. And in that corner, in the throwing cage, Vena showed an agility, quickness and maturity that defied his size and his age. He became the greatest indoor freshman shot putter ever. He broke the national freshman class shot put record Jan. 7 at the Morris Relay. Then he broke his own record three more times.

It ended with a national championship at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships, tossing 66 feet, 7 1/4 inches, three feet farther than the second-place finisher. His toss was the best in the country this season and the third-best throw in New Jersey state history. At 6-4, 170 pounds, Vena is as nimble as a figure skater with the power of a cannon, yet with all the shyness of a 14-year old freshman.

All Photos by Mary DiBiase Blaich/wingefootfotos.com, Tim Fulton/ArmoryTrack.com, Don Rich/PennTrackXC.com, Victah Sailer/PhotoRun.net, and Errol Andersen.

8:59.66 US#2