Garaway thrower shatters long-standing record
The oldest standing track and field record at Garaway fell a few weeks ago when senior discus thrower Grant Engstrom cut loose a heave of 158-feet, six-inches, breaking the record of Gary Marhoffer that had stood since 1973.The old record was 156-8.
On his first throw at the West Holmes Knights Invitational, Engstrom uncorked his record-setting throw.
"Ever since my freshman year, I looked at the record inside the school, and it was something I really wanted to accomplish by my senior year," Engstrom said. "First throw at West Holmes, that's when I beat it. I was really surprised at first when I heard the number read off the tape. Once I heard, I was really happy and pretty excited."
"Grant is a three-year letter winner who has been throwing the discus for about eight years," Garaway track coach Zach Mottice said. "He was the IVC champion last year. He doesn't look like your classic thrower, at 6-4, about 145 pounds, but he's extremely intelligent and he's an extremely hard worker.
"He has excellent form," the coach continued. "I've been his coach since he was in seventh grade. I was the throwers coach before I was the head coach here. I've been the head coach for two years."
Hiland throwing coach Austin Kaufman agreed.
"Engstrom has great form. He's long and lanky which helps him," Kaufman said. "When he gets into rhythm, he's a good thrower."
Engstrom setting the record is what his coach calls an example of good things happening to good people.
"He didn't have a ton of success as a young kid. But we knew he was going to get there, we just weren't sure when it was going to happen," Mottice said. "It was just a matter of time."
Engstrom is constantly striving to improve.
"I compete against myself each time I throw," Engstrom said. "That's what led up to the record. I want to get better with every throw."
He credits his Pirate mentor for his success in the discus.
"Coach Mottice has definitely helped me a lot," Engstrom said. "Ever since middle school, I've been working with him. He's really shown me a lot. Coach Huffman has helped with some videos showing proper technique. Every little bit of coaching helps."
The record setter plans on attending college after his days are done at Garaway.
"He's a great kid; super intelligent. He plans to attend Ohio University," Mottice said.
"I plan to study graphic design and advertising," Engstrom said. "I like art. It's something I like to do every day. I wish I could be at art class all day at school, so I thought why not make a career of it."