It would be easy to assume that at 6-foot-4-inches and 255 pounds Westley Stockbarger is like many high school throwers--spending hours pumping iron in the weight room and only participating in track at the football coach's demand. While that may be the case for many throwers throughout the country, it's certainly not the case with this agile Charlotte High School (Punta Gorda) senior.
The University of Florida-bound standout is the second best returning discus thrower in the country, and after launching the disc over 200 feet as a junior is much more athletic than your average high school thrower. In fact, instead of football or basketball Stockbarger prefers more finesse sports like golf and tennis and is even a member of Charlotte High School's boys tennis team.
"I have been playing for about six years," says Stockbarger. "I really am not a bad tennis player."
The agility that has made him a varsity level tennis player has carried over to his first love—track and field. After a junior season that saw him set a Class 3A state record in the discus (202-8) in route to a state title, the senior is ready for even bigger things this spring. During his stellar career Stockbarger has tossed the discus over the 185-foot mark six times– four of those over 192 feet – and he has 10 marks over 55 feet in the shot put, including his Charlotte HS-record mark of 59-6
"I am looking forward to the track season. It should be an exciting year," says Stockbarger. "I have some big goals set for the season."
Some of the goals include breaking the all-time Florida discus record (205-feet) and improving on his performances from last year in both the discus and the shot.
"I would like to be throwing around 220-feet by the end of the year and close to 70-foot in the shot put. I at least want to be consistent at 65-feet in the shot."
It's the shot put that Westley is most excited about. Coached by his father, who was a record setting shot putter in high school himself, Stockbarger only starting spinning last year and is expecting the new technique to yield big results this season.
"I just started spinning last year and was able to throw almost 60-feet," says Stockbarger. "Everyday I am doing something to work on my technique."
The technique work includes daily technique drills and some live throwing. According to Stockbarger, he has already eclipsed the 200-foot barrier in practice. In addition, he spends at least three days a week in the weight room. His sessions typically last well over an hour, and unlike many big men, he can't even tell you what he bench presses. All of his work is very specific.
"I work with a personal trainer in the weight room," says Stockbarger. "I never max out."
Westley has big plans for the outdoor season. Just like last year, he plans on competing in some of the top high school meets in the country this spring, including the elite Arcadia Invite in California. He also has his sights set on defending his state title in the discus and breaking the all-time state record.
"That is one of my goals. I have already been throwing over that (205-feet) in practice. I want to start the season out throwing what I threw at the end of the season last year."
While the senior is sure to have a big last season. His career will be far from over come May. After careful consideration, he finally singed with the University of Florida during the early signing period and will join the highly touted Gators Track and Field team next fall. Florida just won last weekends SEC Conference Indoor Meet.
"They picked up a bunch of great people," says Stockbarger, who chose Florida over such schools as Tennessee, Florida State, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. "They have a really outstanding team and are only losing two throwers."
He is still contemplating his college major, but is leaning towards sports management. He sights the overall quality of the program, great facilities and the close drive from his home as some of the major factors for choosing Florida.
"I am really looking forward to it. It should be an exciting time."