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Coach's article highlights discus techniques
5/15/2011
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
Andreas Maheras, the Fort Hays State University throwing coach for the last six seasons, has seen plenty of misinformation in coaching throwing events during the years. Maheras, a Greece native who has a doctorate in exercise science with an emphasis in biomechanics, has often felt compelled to write about correct throwing techniques.
Maheras has had several articles printed in periodicals, including a front page piece in the May issue of "Techniques for Track and Field and Cross Country." The cover is a photo of FHSU senior Mitch Sahlfeld, a school record holder, throwing the discus. Maheras' piece, titled "Gaining Momentum!: The Role of Extremities in Discus Throwing," is a 9-page story that includes graphics and photos.
"The main reason is that I see a lot of ignorance of what discus throwing tick -- tick meaning why we do what we do and what counts during discus throwing," Maheras said Friday. "People talking about 'This' or talking about 'That' or what is good for them. But I describe what really counts from a mechanical point of view, which is more scientific and it tells people what we know for sure. Discus throwing, like all of the other throwing events, there is an art to it."
Maheras, who has contributed to the Techniques magazine in the past, talked with the magazine editor before the discus throwing piece ran. As a token of appreciation, the editor said he would reserve the cover for one of the Tiger athletes.
"He told me that if you send me nice picture with high resolution, I will publish it on the cover," Maheras said. "Needless to say, (Mitch) was very excited. He was appreciative of that. Mitch is one of the best throwers that I have had and a very hard-working person, so it was my choice to include Mitch. I could have included anybody else I wanted. I chose Mitch because he is one of our best throwers and he is a senior this year."
Maheras' piece discusses the angular momentum concept, propulsive actions of the right leg and the left arm in the back of the circle, recovery of the right and left legs, recovery of the left arm, second propulsive drive of the left arm and the second recovery of the left arm. It also cites several of his previous works, including "Grounded versus Airborne Release in Discus Throwing," and "Momentum Development in Discus Throwing."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |