Throwing the distance

As grandparents, we can give our grandchildren the gift of our time and our full attention and celebrate their accomplishments to the fullest.

Diane and Vinnie Flanagan, Sun City residents, had something to celebrate recently. Their granddaughter Michelle Barnvos, a recent graduate of Huntley High School, went to Illinois High School Association (IHSA) 3A Girls State Track & Field Championships on June 12. Barnvos threw the discus at the sectionals the distance needed to make it to the state meet.

Diane said, “Michelle got the second-most points in Track and Field and had the second farthest throw ever in Huntley High School Track and Field events.”

What did she have to throw to qualify?

Barnvos said, “You had to throw over 126 feet to qualify. Most don’t get over 100. All fair discus throw attempts must be measured from the nearest edge of the first mark made. I had four attempts to make the distance to get to State.”

The discus throw is one of the most famous events in track and field. The sport involves tossing a discus as far as possible. Although this sounds simple, the technique is not easy to master.

Diane said, “She did not make it with her first three throws. She needed to hit one good toss on her last throw to advance. It was so tense. We could not tell if she had made it on the last throw.”

What is the key to having a good throw?

Barnvos said, “You have to spin correctly. The rotation is the most important yet also the most difficult part of the discus throw. I self-taught. You have to spin correctly while holding the discus which weighs 2.2 pounds.”

The technique for throwing discuses is very different from any other athletic throw. To grip the discus, throwers need to spread their fingers out and around the discus with each finger’s first knuckle over the edges to hold it.

Barnvos said, “I learned to throw the discus in the 6th grade and 7th grade. In high school, I focused on placing at the Illinois state finals and increasing my distances to become a competitive college thrower.”

Barnvos said, “I love being a part of the track team and competing in the shot put and discus.”

What got her interested in throwing the discus?

Barnvos said, “I hate to run, and my middle school coach said to me if you throw, you don’t have to run.”

How does she train?

Barnvos said, “I lift weights almost every day for one and a half hors and do cardio for about 30 minutes.”

What happened on that last throw?

Barnvos said, “I gave it my all, I spun and put all of my body into that throw. I knew I had it. It went 38.54 meters. I qualified. It was a magical moment. All my friends were there. I ran to the stands where everyone was and we cried.”

What happened at State?

Barnvos said, “It was a thrill to make it there. I place 16th in the state on June 12 and threw 108’9 at State.”

Diane said, “There was an awards ceremony at Huntley High School on Wednesday (June 16) and Michelle was named MVP.”

Did she know she was getting the award?

Barnvos answered, “I had no idea. Even when the coach was talking, I didn’t know he was talking about me. It was a great way to end the year.”

Vinnie said, “She also is a great tennis player, but because of Covid there were no state finals to attend.”

Diane, a fervent tennis player said, “At one point I could match her tennis skills, but those days are gone.”

Barnvos has accepted a scholarship from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside where she will continue to throw the discus. She is enrolling in the nursing program.

Grandparents, Diane and Vinnie, are happy that Michelle is attending college in driving range so that they can continue to show their love and support her at events.

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