With so much in flux, athletes have had to retreat to narrow corridors to find competitions that provide record-eligible marks. However, for the Weight Throwers of New York State, that is business as usual. Weight Throw, alongside Javelin and Racewalk, are the only three events not contested at the State Level Outdoors in New York, therefore limiting opportunities and meets which hold competitions in-season. Years ago, Paddy McGrath had created the New York Hammer Summer Series, to provide opportunities for athletes to compete in the Hammer within the State. McGrath, himself an Irish Olympian who contested the Hammer Throw, hosts the meets annually at his own private facility, fully sanctioned, up in Walkill, New York.
All Summer, the series has been going strong, albeit with less than 20 competitors per meet, to adhere to Social Distancing Guidelines. Familiar names have been able to get in their rotations there, ranging from High School and Collegiate, all the way up to the Pro's. Earlier in the year, Rudy Winkler, a former HS prodigy of McGrath, and currently the State Record Holder, unleashed a massive personal best here, going 80.70m (264-9.25) with the international weight. With that throw, not only is Winkler now an Olympian, but he stands as the #3 American Thrower in history.
On the High School front, the indoor State Champion, Nicholas Pisciotta (Commack) has been making waves as well. In the Series second rendition, Pisciotta placed third behind Winkler's throw, with a Personal Best for himself. Pisciotta threw 71.03m (233-0.5) with the 12lb implement, then also came back with a 60.28m (197-9.25) in the International weight. Pisciotta then came back for the 4th meet in the Series, and improved his best with the International Weight to 61.00m (200-1.5).
The High School toss of 233-0.5 moves him all the way up to NY #5 All-Time for the event. It's the furthest toss by a New Yorker since Michael Feldman in 2017. Coincidently, Feldman was the athlete separating Winkler and Pisciotta in the results for Week #2. The mark also makes Pisciotta the furthest thrower on Long Island for a Public School, as only Walter Henning (St. Anthony's) prevents him from being the best Island thrower outright. For the International Weight, Pisciotta is US #7 All-Time. You can hear from Pisciotta below, as he won the Indoor Weight Throw title.
Nick will continue to throw at Northeastern in the Fall.
With so much in flux, athletes have had to retreat to narrow corridors to find competitions that provide record-eligible marks. However, for the Weight Throwers of New York State, that is business as usual. Weight Throw, alongside Javelin and Racewalk, are the only three events not contested at the State Level Outdoors in New York, therefore limiting opportunities and meets which hold competitions in-season. Years ago, Paddy McGrath had created the New York Hammer Summer Series, to provide opportunities for athletes to compete in the Hammer within the State. McGrath, himself an Irish Olympian who contested the Hammer Throw, hosts the meets annually at his own private facility, fully sanctioned, up in Walkill, New York.
All Summer, the series has been going strong, albeit with less than 20 competitors per meet, to adhere to Social Distancing Guidelines. Familiar names have been able to get in their rotations there, ranging from High School and Collegiate, all the way up to the Pro's. Earlier in the year, Rudy Winkler, a former HS prodigy of McGrath, and currently the State Record Holder, unleashed a massive personal best here, going 80.70m (264-9.25) with the international weight. With that throw, not only is Winkler now an Olympian, but he stands as the #3 American Thrower in history.
