KHAS Weather
Five Star Performer: Gabe Wickham
The Hastings College men's throws team is packed with senior leadership. Brothers Gabe and Garrett Wickham with Hastings High Grad Cody Weber lead the way in and out of the throwing circle.
The three competing against each other brought out the best in all. For Gabe, that competition has made him a national record holder in the weight throw and this week's News 5 Aurora Cooperative five star performer. "Obviously, it's a big accomplishment. That's the furthest throw ever in the NAIA," said HC Throws Coach Zac Osgood. 21 meters 31 centimeters or 69 feet 11 inches is how far senior Gabe Wickham threw the 35-pound weight in last weekend's NAIA national indoor track and field championship to set a national record and take home his second national championship in the event. Making the accomplishment even more impressive Wickham didn't start throwing until his sophomore year in college. "You know the first day we actually got him over there to really throw the weight, you know, he threw it over fifty feet the first time he touched it so. You know there is a lot of natural ability right there," said Osgood. It's a natural ability that must run in the family as both Gabe and his brother gGrrett came to college as non-throwers and leave school with All-American honors as throwers. "We both didn't come into Hastings to be throwers, he was actually a long jump and triple jumper and I was a hurdler until we both had hamstring issues and we both started throwing and it's been great ever since," said Wickham. Great indeed. Taking a look at the record book Gabe and Garrett have excelled during their short time in the circle. They sit in third and fourth place all-time in the javelin and hammer throw and first and sixth in the weight toss. Joining them on the all-time charts is class mate Cody Weber making quite an intimidating and successful trio "Being on the podium just looking at the picture on Facebook it's pretty awesome just seeing all three of us just standing right next to each other," said Wickham. With the indoor season in the books the Wickham's and Weber turn their focus to the outdoors where they will fight for the school record in the hammer throw. As of right now Gabe leads the race by three feet two inches. |
On Demand
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
PollLocal Gas Prices
Most Popular
KHASTV LinksKHASTV on FacebookWeather Closings |
Most Popular