Since Liberty opened in 2013, the track program has been missing something. They have had to use spray paint on the grass to outline the javelin runway. The problem with just using the grass for the runway is uncontrollable conditions. Due to safety issues, at some track meets the javelin had to be canceled because the grass was too wet and considered unsafe to throw on. A real runway for javelin would not only make things safer but also easier on the athletes and the judge. The track program is trying to raise $50,000 so they can build a runway for javelin.

“I can’t remember exactly what year, but a few years back the district approved a javelin runway for all four of the schools but nothing ever happened,” coach Glavin said.

Practices are difficult for these young athletes because they can not get consistent throws due to the poor conditions of the grass. Early in the season is even more of a challenge for the athletes because of the constant rain in early springtime, limiting their use of the track for safety reasons.

“It gets really muddy at practice, and we slip a lot too,” javelin athlete Cole Czerniewski (12) said.

Throwing off of the actual runway allows for more consistent throws and reduces the chance of injury drastically. When the athletes have to plant right before they throw, the javelin they put around five to seven times their body weight on their plant leg. In the grass, if the athlete slips it can cause torn or strained ligaments and muscles. This causes the young athletes to change their throwing form, increasing the dangers of the event.  At many meets athletes scratched, meaning they crossed the throwing line and the throw didn’t count. With the MSHSAA rules stating if you foul or scratch it counts as a throw and you cannot rethrow. This destroys the young athletes’ positivity and mindsets because they can not get a clean throw off.

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