Jake Golenor '06, thrower and co-captain of the men's track team, claimed the individual Heptagonal title this past weekend in the shot put. His throw of 55 feet, 1/4 inches was nearly three feet further than the second-place mark. Golenor's performance also helped lead the team to a fourth-place finish at the Championships, a two-spot improvement from 2005.
Herald: How did you first get involved in throwing?Golenor: I always looked up to my older brother, and he did track so I went out for the team in sixth grade. I tried running first, but I wasn't so great at that. Then I tried jumping, and that didn't go well either. I picked up the shot put, and it came naturally.
Were you just as tall back then?I've always been tall ... now I'm officially 6'6.5".
What was the highlight of this past weekend's Heps for you?Probably watching Paul Raymond ('08) win the (60-meter) dash. He just walked onto the team a month ago, and he's already won a championship.
How about your individual goal?I want to go to nationals (in the discus), which will take breaking the school record.
After nationals, and graduation, what are your plans?I'm going to take a year off before grad school ... in education leadership. I want to be a principal eventually.
Who do you look to for inspiration?My coach from high school. I don't know if he was lying or if he just portrayed himself extremely well, but he was really the perfect man. He was always a positive person no matter what was going on, and he was the only person I knew like that growing up.
If you could change one thing about the OMAC, what would it be?I'd add some windows. The artificial light in (there) is a killer.
What's it like to live with (fellow thrower and Herald sports columnist) Hugh Murphy ('06)?He's one of the most interesting men I've ever met in my life. Quirky would be an appropriate word.
