Sports

Shot-Putter Joins Emerging Elite in NYC

In the indoor track season Swampscott senior Rob Seymour finished first in the NEC, 5th in the Div. 3 state competition, and 10th in the entire state. Friday he competed on a national stage.

Senior Rob Seymour has thrown the shot put farther and farther, each season, each year.

His distances earned him a trip to the Emerging Elite New Balance Nationals competition held Friday.

Rob joined teammate and two-miler Peter Hale and Coach Joe Tenney on a trip to New York City and the New Balance competition at the Armory.

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About 1,000 athletes, all on the cusp of qualifying for nationals, competed in track and field events.

Rob got off a bomb, a 49 ft. 2 in. heave, a little shy of his personal best — 52 ft. 6 in.

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It was Rob's first time competing on a national stage.

He has been throwing the shot put since his sophomore year at Swampscott High.

He has seen his distances climb each year under the guidance of his coaches. Peter Bush always has new exercises for him designed to lend more control and speed to his throwing and, ultimately, distance.

He threw 33 feet in his first meet as a sophomore and ended the year with a best of 37 feet.

He knew right away that he liked the event. 

His best grew to 48 feet as a junior.

In his senior year, his best was 52 feet.

The 6' 2 " 260-pound senior hopes to throw 55 feet in the spring. Maybe, just maybe, if conditions are right, he'll set a new school record. It will require a cannon shot of beyond 56 feet.

He still likes the shot put. And may throw in college.

What he likes is he is in control of his performance, he said. How he trains and how he throws determines what he throws.

So far, what he has thrown has extended farther and farther from the shot-putter's circle.

By focusing on form — elbow up, staying compact and balanced — and harnessing speed and control the 12-pound shot may yet travel farther.

And take Rob to new competitions. 


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