Field athletes defend sport against misbeliefs

Senior and varsity field athlete James Beitz throws a discus as sophomore and varsity field athlete Delaney Stuart watches on. “You really feel powerful when you send a disc flying over 100 feet,” Beitz said. “You feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when it happens.”
Senior and varsity field athlete James Beitz throws a discus as sophomore and varsity field athlete Delaney Stuart watches on. “You really feel powerful when you send a disc flying over 100 feet,” Beitz said. “You feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when it happens.”

Unknown to most, the field team practices twice a day; weightlifting before school and field practice in the afternoon.

“There are no off days,” sophomore and varsity field athlete Annaliese Wan said. “We do morning and afternoon practices and being able to wake up and get to those on time.”

The two field events shotput and discus include throwing an object as far as possible. Field focuses a lot of energy on promoting individual athlete success, rather than team success.

“It’s unique and individualized,” Wan said. “

You’re on a team, but it’s your own personal best. It’s like swimming. [It’s] very individualized and a lot of technique. It’s a good feeling, being involved in a Marshall sport.”

With a heavy spotlight put on the track portion of track and field events, it can often upstage the field events and its athletes.

“People overlook the sport,” Wan said. “They think it’s not a sport. I swear if a random person were to pick up a disc, they wouldn’t be able to throw it any distance.”

The shotput and discus events are overshadowed by their more popular partner, but the field head coach Jose Portillo comments on the uniqueness of a field athlete and their sport.

“We aren’t really the oddball out, but we are the outlaws of the track and field,” Portillo said. “It’s a different environment and it’s a different type of athlete that can do this kind of stuff.”