Get to know Swampscott discus thrower Anastasia Hayes
SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. — In the sixth grade, I starting doing Track & Field, mostly because my friends signed up to do it. Little did I know, it would lead to a new found love for a Track & Field event I barely knew existed at the time. My coaches focused on running events and workouts, rarely practicing field events. My aunt Amanda, though, had enjoyed a successful discus throw career in high school and encouraged me to give it a try. I decided to take it upon myself to learn. I soon found out there is only so much a couple videos online can teach you. My real training would have to wait a few more years.
In high school, COVID 19 stole the first year and a half of high school track. My sophomore year consisted of less than 10 meets – too short of a season to see any real progress in my throws. After not having a full track season for two years, I knew I had some real catching up during my junior year. After all, I had only two years left for high school track.
Despite these hurdles, going into the spring of my junior year I had one goal: qualify for state-level competition. I started that season throwing roughly seventy-six feet. Ninety feet was the requirement to qualify for states and, with only four meets left in the regular season, I doubted that kind of improvement was possible. My coach refused to give up on me, telling me to get out of my head and let my mind go blank while throwing. The pressure I was putting on myself, he said, was holding me back.
Coach Bush would say 鈥渁nything can happen on meet day鈥� and that’s exactly what happened. It was one of our last few meets against Masconomet High School. I cleared my mind and broke my personal best record by over twenty feet, qualifying for state competition. The success that day opened doors; I was able to go to more selective track meets that required certain qualifying distances, which helped prolong my season.
Finally, the day I had been preparing for arrived: the Division 5 State Championships, my first ever states meet. It was down to the last few throws and in the lead. Then, a competitor from Dedham, who was seeded second, threw 108 feet and 5 inches. In order to get the gold, I would have to break my personal best record by eight feet. I was filled with doubt. On my last and final throw I gave it my all, figuring I had absolutely nothing to lose as I knew I would take second. That throw ended up being 109 feet and 8 inches, not only furthering my personal record but also winning my very first state championship meet.
Today, more doors have opened. My senior year included three college recruitment offers. I look back on that sixth grader who tried a new sport on a whim and, with the help of clearing her mind and hearing encouragement, achieved more than she thought possible. I could not be more grateful for the people who helped me along the way.
Anastasia Hayes is currently a senior at Swampscott High School.
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