Hanover Central’s Kayla York wins bronze in discus at Junior Olympics
By John O’Malley Post-Tribune correspondent August 1, 2012 11:32PM
Updated: September 3, 2012 1:26PM
When Kayla York unleashed her final throw, she immediately realized it was going to be one to remember.
The Hanover Central sophomore hurled the discus a personal-best 136 feet, 9 inches, to place third and capture the bronze medal in the intermediate division (15-16 year-olds) Wednesday at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Humble, Texas.
“I felt really powerful on my last throw,’’ York said. “I feel really good right now — especially considering what the first (150-1) and second (149-11) places did today. I’m very excited. I don’t even know how to put it into words. This is my first year in this division — and I’m competing with older girls, so it’s pretty exciting. My improvement was significantly better than everybody else who beat me last year.’’
York, whose second-to-last throw was 132-8, believes she can be even better.
“I know there are still some things wrong with my form, but once I fix them, I think it’s going to be exciting to see how far I can go,’’ said York, who was seeded fourth.
“Kayla has some hitches in her step, and she’s not hitting her target footwork, but she’s strong, so all the time she and I have spent in the weight room has paid off,’’ said Kelly York, her mom and throws coach.
“A lot of coaches have commented that Kayla has excellent arm action. I think what I appreciate most as her coach is, she recognizes what she needs to do to get better, and she’s willing to do the drill work to make the improvements. She’s now seeing the benefit and seeing the payoff of all the hard work she’s put in. It’s exciting to be a part of all this with her, because she does have some big dreams. I’m going to do my best to help her get there.’’
York, seeded No. 15, with a PR of 37-10 in the shot put, attempts to add to her successful trip when she begins competition at 8 a.m. today.
