Among her peers, Rosario Rivera is known as a quiet leader, inspiring others with her perpetual kindness and generosity. Outside of the classroom, however, she is fierce competitor, harnessing her determination into the difficult sport of throwing, which incorporates several events, including shot put and discuss, and comprises the “field” component of Track and Field. Since sophomore year, Rivera has participated in the rarely acknowledged yet certainly powerful “Team Throw,” the affectionate nickname for Stone Ridge’s throwing team, which trains under the tutelage of Mr. Rook, Head Cross Country and Track Coach. This year, Rivera will be stepping in as captain. This is what she had to say about the sport that means so much to her.
Lauren Woodard: What made you decide to join the Stone Ridge track team?
Rosario Rivera: I started throwing my sophomore year, because I needed one more sports credit after doing cross country. I was talking to Grace Houle, ’16, who really enjoyed throwing freshman year, because it was a good alternative to being a runner on the track team, which was important because I had injured my shins in the earlier cross country season. I figured it would be a cool way to be part of a really chill team.
LW: What was your initial experience as a member of Team Throw?
RR: It was a really good experience. Julia Leep Lazaar, ’14, was my captain, and she was my main inspiration. It was tough in the beginning, having to master all the techniques and become coordinated. I was initially a really bad thrower, which was kind of rough. But Julia was always there to say, “You’re going to get better. Everyone starts this way. You really just need to practice the technique a lot more.”
LW: What made you come back the next season, despite the fact that you already had enough sports credits?
RR: Julia had a lot of influence on me. When track rolled around the following winter and Mr. Rook was saying that the team did not have any throwers, I decided I would be the only thrower that season. I really enjoyed that season because it was really nice to have that personalized attention. I think I really grew as a thrower, and I decided to come back to the team in the spring. I realized I really enjoy being able to work out as part of the track team but also have a different rhythm than the runners.
LW: Can you describe the different throwing events?
RR: For the winter season there is only one throwing event–shot put. Shot put is a metal ball that weighs about nine pounds and the objective is to throw it as far as possible within the vectors they set up. In the spring there is shot put, but there is also discus, which is essentially a very heavy frisbee. Again, the objective is to throw it as far as you can while using the approved techniques and staying within the vectors.
LW: Can you describe what you mean by vectors?
RR: A vector is simply a demarcation of the space where the ball is allowed to land. You start in the throwing circle, and the vectors extend from that point to make a kind of triangle shape. It’s narrow near the circle and wider and wider the farther out you get.
LW: What’s your favorite event?
RR: A lot of people enjoy throwing discus, but my personal favorite is shot put. I really enjoy feeling the ball roll off my shoulder, and I like the speed at which everything happens. When you throw the shot put you really feel it in your core and your hips, and I prefer that a lot more than the feeling of the discus falling off my hand.
LW: What are you most looking forward to about this upcoming season?
RR: I’m really excited for this season because it’s my last spring season, and I am one of many captains for the track team. I’ll be in charge of the throwing. It seems like we are going to have a large team this year, and I’m excited to be a part of that. It’s also going to be a nice mixture of new and experienced throwers, which I am really looking forward to. It will be a great time.
LW: What are your goals as a leader of the track team?
RR: “As a leader of the track team,” that sounds so nice. I really want to be there for my teammates, to be the supportive captain that Julia was. I definitely want to make sure we get the work in and that we learn to cope with the frustration that comes with the sport, like with any sport. I know that it can be hard to get into the rhythm of a new season, so I want to be a supportive and calm presence.
LW: What do you want Stone Ridge students to know about throwing?
RR: They should know that it’s on the rise. People are joining. It’s a really fun time, even though it’s a lot of work. In meet settings, there is a very calm atmosphere, because throwers are generally very friendly and generally not very intimidating. It’s a great community. Everyone should try coming out to throw because we have some great team members and some great coaches.
LW: What would you say to someone who wants to try a new sport?
RR: Throwing is the way to go! Practice every day consists of lifting weights, doing some cardio, some sprints. It’s the ultimate track [event] because it combines everything into throwing. It uses every part of your body. It’s something that anyone can do as long as they are dedicated to it, just like with any sport.
