Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 9 No. 3 | January 2017

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32 Inside Hokie Sports
POLE VAULT COACH BOB PHILLIPS’ TAKE
“Erica was jumping fantastic during the outdoor season last year.
She was jumping at a level that would’ve taken her to the national meet,
but she hurt her toe. She’s over that injury now and training well, so I
look at her to be a big contributor. Hannah is back, and she has scored
at both the indoor and outdoor conference meets last year. All those
kids are working hard. While there may not be one person who tends to
be the leader, they definitely know where they are heading as a group.”
TOP RETURNERS
Jaka Muhar, Marek Barta,
Collin McKenny,
Matija Muhar
NEWCOMERS
None
OVERVIEW
The Hokies saw arguably their most consistent thrower depart
in Tomas Kruzliak, a five-time All-American and the 2013 national
champion in the hammer throw. But three ACC medalists return,
includingtwowhoqualifiedfortheNCAAOutdoorChampionships—and
one who earned All-America honors.
This group figures to be much stronger during the outdoor season
than the indoor one, as they all excel more in the outdoor events—the
javelin throw and the discus.
Barta leads the way after a fantastic 2016 season in which he became
the first Tech track athlete ever to earn All-America honors in the
discus. The ACC silver medalist finished third at the NCAA Outdoor
Championships and holds the school record in the event. He competed
in the shot put during the indoor season, but did not place at the ACC’s
indoor meet.
The Muhar brothers are javelin specialists. Matija Muhar, the
younger of the two, won the ACC title on just one throw, and he
qualified for the NCAA Championships, where he finished 19th. He
underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason, but should be ready for
action later this spring. Jaka Muhar finished second behind his brother
at the ACC’s outdoor meet.
Like Barta, McKenny competes in the discus, and he also competed
in the shot put during the indoor season. He’ll be looking to provide
points toward the Hokies’ team totals at league meets.
For the first time in a long time, the men’s throws group lacks a
specialist in the hammer throw—historically the program’s most
successful event. But the Hokies possess the talent to win the javelin
and discus, or finish highly in those events.
THROWS COACH GREG JACK’S TAKE
“Matija [Muhar] had
a great fall in terms of
training. I really like
how he is progressing.
Jaka [Muhar] is an
outstanding student-
athlete. He is an all-
around guy. He is
always there to help us
out at the conference
and national level. The
two of those guys are the best one-two punch in our league. They went
one and two last year [in the javelin], and I fully expect them to do it
again.
“Marek [Barta] is a super talented guy. He placed third at the
national championship, and we want to improve on that. Why come
in second when you can come in first? He definitely has all the ability
in the world, and we look forward to seeing how the season progresses
for him.”
season preview track & field
MEN’S
THROWS
Torben Laidig
, C.E.C.
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