The Dallas Post Dallas, PA August 22, 2003 DALLAS POST Section 2 LL coach on pro javelin circuit By Kevin Kazokas Post Correspondent LEHMAN TWP. - The off-season hasn't exactly meant rest and relax- ation for Lake-Lehman track-and-field head coach Ed Radzinski. Since the end of scholastic competi- i in June, the 32-year-old Lehman resident has stayed busy by pursuing his own athletic endeavors. His efforts, which involved competing in the javelin at professional track-and-field meets throughout the nation, have yielded some striking results. Radzinski said he garnered a pair of first-place finishes and logged a per- sonal best throw while taking part in meets this month in Ohio and Pennsyl- vania. The Black Knights coach said he set a personal record with a heave of 253- feet, 3-inches Aug. 9 at the Ohio State Buckeye Olympic Developmental Invi- tational. Prior to that, he said he threw 2488 Aug. 6 in an all-comer meet at Lehigh University. With those two throws, Radzinski placed first at both meets, each of which was sanctioned by USA Track and Field and featured professional competitors from throughout the Unit- ed States. The Lake-Lehman graduate said he also captured a second-place finish Aug. 2 at an additional Ohio State Buckeye Invitational meet with a throw of 245-11. The results have produced modest excitement in Radzinski, a member of USA Track and Field. During the past two seasons, he has competed in more than two-dozen professional meets sanctioned by the organization. “m just enjoying it. I'm enjoying the ride,” he said. Last year, Radzinski took part in 16 professional competitions, including events held at venues such as Rutgers University and the University of Penn- sylvania. This year, the veteran javelin- hurler thinks he may compete in as many as 24 professional meets. Radzinski said he averages between 235 and 245 feet per throw. However, he knows that the potential for anoth- er sensational toss, like the one he had in Ohio, always exists. “When you're stuck averaging 240, you know you're going to have a break- out throw.” That possibility has inspired the for- mer Lake-Lehman cross-country and track athlete to continue working hard both in the weight room and on the practice field. “He does something usually every day, regardless if its lifting weights or the drills,” said his girlfriend, Cathy Savage. Despite sustaining a slight rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder two years ago, Radzinski believes he can eventually reach his ultimate throwing goals. “For me, realistically, I would like to throw in the vicinity of 255 to 260 be- fore my shoulder shuts down.” Radzinski hasn't ruled out the possi- bility of trying to qualify for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Accord- ing to USA Track and Field's Web site, athletes need to record a throw of at least 239 feet in a sanctioned meet be- tween Jan. 1, 2003 and July 1, 2004 to receive an automatic bid to the Olympic Trials next July in Sacramen- to, Calif. That is a feat Radzinski has already accomplished several times this year. The top three javelin finishers at the trials will qualify for the U.S. Olympic team. But ~ whether he reaches the Olympics or not, Radzinski said he en- joys taking part in the professional meets and relaying the information he learns back to the athletes who com- pete under his direction at Lake- Lehman. “When I go to these meets, I always pick something up.” He said that so far, he has learned some additional flexibility stretches, which have helped him stay loose for his throws. In addition, he credits a new javelin he switched to this year with helping him add an extra 10 to 15 feet on some of his tosses. His success has gripped the atten- tion of others in the Back Mountain community. “He’s phenomenal,” Dallas cross- country head coach Matt Samuel said. “He’s really perfected his technique.” But besides that precise technique, there also churns within Radzinski a driving force — one that quietly moti- vates him to succeed, no matter whether it’s on or off the field. “I think he could accomplish what- ever he sets his mind to,” Savage said. “He’s very goal oriented. That carries over into every aspect of his life.” Still, Radzinski said his main goal lies in helping the athletes he coaches. “I think, long-term, I would like to fulfill every kid's dream that I ever coach and make them reach they're fullest potential. My objective is kids before myself.” HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL = bh | might i Be. ald 7 S44 The Dallas football team capped the first week of official football practice with a scrimmage on the Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium turf against Wilkes-Barre Meyers. Pictured clock- wise from top left, quarterback Matt Kelly (3) rolls out and looks for a block from fullback Buddy Kocher (26); Tailback Doug Harris (4) cuts back to avoid a tackler; Wide Receiver Mike Rice (5) turns the corner on a block from wingback Elijah Miller (23); and Head Coach Ted Jackson points out instructions to Harris. PHOTOS BY JIM PHILLIPS A I is ai RR IR a aR na BRR GO AEX
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