Indiana University Athletics
Throwers Push Each Other to Record-Breaking Seasons
4/22/2016 11:23:00 AM | Track and Field
Throwers Push Each Other to Record-Breaking Seasons
By: Tori Ziege | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Laura Schroeder wasted no time climbing into the Indiana record books.
The five-time Division II All-American shattered the women's hammer throw school record in her outdoor season debut. Leading the competition in Tempe, Arizona, through two rounds, the graduate transfer was overtaken in the final round, but responded with a monster throw.
The hammer landed 63.45 meters away, the farthest distance in program history, to win the event.
The catch? The record she broke belonged to her roommate, junior Nakel McClinton.
"I knew it was coming, but I didn't know she was going to obliterate it like she did," McClinton said. "I was like 'Alright, if I want to compete with her this year, I have to step my game up.'"
She did. The next meet out, McClinton reclaimed the mantle with a 64.23 meter-launch in the Tiger Track Classic.
Schroeder owned the record for all but two weeks.
"It doesn't matter," McClinton told her. "You're going to get it next week."
Such has been the back-and-forth between friends, roommates and competitors. Throws coach Cory Martin witnesses the silent tug-of-war in practice every day. He sees them eyeing one another, constantly trying out-throw the other's marks.
When that happens, he said, the best thing to do is to sit back and watch.
"It's exciting seeing them push each other. That just leads to bigger and better things," he said. "But it's a little nerve-wracking because you have two people on the same team gunning for each other. With them being roommates and really good friends, they've done it on a competitive level without letting it get to a personal level."
Back at home, there's a little more smack talk. Whoever owns the record that week will be sure to remind the other. They joke that the record holder gets to pick what they watch on TV.
But for all the time they spend jawing back and forth, McClinton and Schroeder aren't sick of each other. Far from it.
The two of them have lofty goals. And together, they're pushing themselves closer and closer to reaching them.
"I figured that's how it was going to be," Schroeder said. "I was hoping we'd be battling every weekend, constantly moving the mark. It's really nice having a training partner that good, because she's one of the best in the country."
Among their list of goals, the duo plans to go one-two in the conference championship. They want to go to nationals. They want to qualify for the Olympic Trials, which Martin believes will take a throw of 65 or higher.
When it comes to accomplishing those feats, Schroeder and McClinton are the best thing for each other. They never have to worry about the level of competition not being up to par. Every day, they enter the cage alongside one of the best in the nation, giving them a leg up when the time comes to compete in top-level meets.
The postseason, however, is still a month out. And as far as Schroeder and McClinton have thrown, they still have a long way to go.
"The season is only halfway over," McClinton said. "I'm excited to see what's in store."
By: Tori Ziege | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Laura Schroeder wasted no time climbing into the Indiana record books.
The five-time Division II All-American shattered the women's hammer throw school record in her outdoor season debut. Leading the competition in Tempe, Arizona, through two rounds, the graduate transfer was overtaken in the final round, but responded with a monster throw.
The hammer landed 63.45 meters away, the farthest distance in program history, to win the event.
The catch? The record she broke belonged to her roommate, junior Nakel McClinton.
"I knew it was coming, but I didn't know she was going to obliterate it like she did," McClinton said. "I was like 'Alright, if I want to compete with her this year, I have to step my game up.'"
She did. The next meet out, McClinton reclaimed the mantle with a 64.23 meter-launch in the Tiger Track Classic.
Schroeder owned the record for all but two weeks.
"It doesn't matter," McClinton told her. "You're going to get it next week."
Such has been the back-and-forth between friends, roommates and competitors. Throws coach Cory Martin witnesses the silent tug-of-war in practice every day. He sees them eyeing one another, constantly trying out-throw the other's marks.
When that happens, he said, the best thing to do is to sit back and watch.
"It's exciting seeing them push each other. That just leads to bigger and better things," he said. "But it's a little nerve-wracking because you have two people on the same team gunning for each other. With them being roommates and really good friends, they've done it on a competitive level without letting it get to a personal level."
Back at home, there's a little more smack talk. Whoever owns the record that week will be sure to remind the other. They joke that the record holder gets to pick what they watch on TV.
But for all the time they spend jawing back and forth, McClinton and Schroeder aren't sick of each other. Far from it.
The two of them have lofty goals. And together, they're pushing themselves closer and closer to reaching them.
"I figured that's how it was going to be," Schroeder said. "I was hoping we'd be battling every weekend, constantly moving the mark. It's really nice having a training partner that good, because she's one of the best in the country."
Among their list of goals, the duo plans to go one-two in the conference championship. They want to go to nationals. They want to qualify for the Olympic Trials, which Martin believes will take a throw of 65 or higher.
When it comes to accomplishing those feats, Schroeder and McClinton are the best thing for each other. They never have to worry about the level of competition not being up to par. Every day, they enter the cage alongside one of the best in the nation, giving them a leg up when the time comes to compete in top-level meets.
The postseason, however, is still a month out. And as far as Schroeder and McClinton have thrown, they still have a long way to go.
"The season is only halfway over," McClinton said. "I'm excited to see what's in store."
Players Mentioned
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