Congrats to this week’s Athlete of the Week – Jack Foster!
Jack is a senior thrower on the Saratoga Springs Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field team. This past weekend, Jack and his coaches traveled to the Armory Track and Field Hall of Fame in New York City for the New Balance National Championships where Jack hit a personal record and a new school record throw of 57’ 9 ¾. Additionally, on Saturday, March 5, Jack competed in the NYS and Federation Championship and took first place in the shot put.
Jack joined the track & field team as a freshman during the spring season and learned the basic glide throwing technique – averaging a throw of 31’. During his sophomore season, Jack switched over to the rotary throw and began to throw an average of 40’ indoors. Since then, Jack has dedicated himself to becoming a great athlete through diet and weightlifting regimens.
“Jack has emerged as one of the finest shot putters in the Northeast,” said Throwing Coach Jon Hoek, who has been training Jack for four years.
When COVID cancelled what was remaining of his sophomore season and his indoor junior season, Jack continued training with Coach Hoek from home with his parents’ full support – his dad poured a concrete pad in their backyard and built a weight room in their garage, while his mom prepared meals from Jack’s nutrition plans.
“The entire 2020 outdoor season was lost,” said Coach Hoek, “but Jack lifted and threw relentlessly.”
“We didn’t have states, nationals, or an indoor season last year so Jack was limited to those meets to shine,” added Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field Head Coach, Chris Conley, regarding the outdoor season. “He continued to work extremely hard and smart with his diet, weightlifting, and practices over the summer and fall and became a much better thrower.”
As a result of his hard work, Jack threw a 50’ 5 ½” and finished 2nd in the discus throw and 4th in the shot put at Outdoor Track & Field Class A Sectional Championships.
When indoor started up again, Jack was more than ready, throwing a 54’5” to break the school record at their first meet. Jack stayed focused and ended the 2021-22 indoor season by winning not only the Class A Sectional Championship, but also a State title with a throw of 55’ 6 ½” – upsetting a nationally ranked NYC athlete and going on to win the Federation title as well. Jack finished 11th overall at nationals and extended his school record to the 8th best in the history of Section 2.
“Jack is one of the hardest working athletes I’ve encountered in 48 years of coaching,” said Coach Hoek. “He is a modest and fine leader for our other athletes.”
Jack is looking forward to the upcoming outdoor varsity track & field season and has committed to continue his throwing career at UConn this fall.
