Chase Shaneman, a senior at Twin Valley High School (TVHS) and a member of the track and field team, recently threw a discus 148 feet, which was enough to beat a 50-year school record set back in 1971 by Gary Kochel of 147 feet, 9 inches.
Chase broke the record in the discus throw event that took place during a home meet against Fleetwood High School on April 27. "I made the throw and they measured it. When it was announced it was 148 feet, my whole team went crazy and my parents went crazy," he said. "I thought my throw would be terrible because I did not practice the day before because of work and my two warm-up throws were bad, but everything came together."
According to Chase, his longest throw in 2018 was 110 feet, 9 inches, and his longest throw in 2019 was 130 feet. He knew from the start that he wanted to break the record.
"When you walk into the hallway to get into the gym there are all the records for track. I saw that every day and became aware of it," he said. "I knew that I wanted to break the record since sophomore year. The goal was to break it junior year, (but the 2020 season) was canceled because of COVID. So, it really became a priority this season."
The result of Chase's discus throw is listed at http://pa.milesplit.com. Chase and other athletes who broke records this year will be recognized at the end-of-year awards ceremony at TVHS.
Discus throwing dates back to the ancient Greek Olympic games. A discus weighs 1.6 kilograms, which is approximately 3 pounds. "It's like a metal frisbee," Chase said, noting that he wears special shoes while throwing. "The shoes are called spinners. There is no traction on the bottom because it helps get a rotation. (You always throw) from a circle (on the ground) and it's always concrete unless it's inside; then (the circle) is wood. We do practice indoors, but we use a special discus, and we are normally in the gym."
Chase noted that he has received guidance, coaching help and support from various people, including Barry Lepori Jr. on technique and Don Simcox for strength training, as well as TVHS track and field head coach Brian Holden and throwing coach Sue Faller. He also receives video analysis from Throws University, which offers online throwing training.
Chase reported that he qualified for Districts, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22, at Shippensburg University, with a hope to make this year's state competition, which will be held the following weekend at the same location.
He will attend Ursinus College this fall to possibly study health and exercise physiology. He is currently considering a career as a physical therapist.
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