Justin Osking is just a sophomore, but it seems like he's been around much longer! He competed at the flrunners.com Middle School State Championship starting in the 6th grade. He took 3rd and 4th that first year, then 2nd and 3rd, and finally in his 8th grade her he earned the double state championship and a middle school state meet record in the discus of 156-11.
Now in just his second year of high school competition, he currently sits at the pole position in the discus and second in the shot with PRs of 170-10 and 53-10. Many people in the throwing world think he's only getting started and believe this young man from Ft. Pierce will be leading the way for these next three years--especially in the discus, his specialty--and possibly even rewriting the state recordbook.
---------------------------------------------------------
JASON BYRNE (FLRUNNERS.COM): Justin you have been throwing for a long time. We remember you setting the middle school state meet record back a couple of years ago. Do you think starting so young gives you an advantage over the guys who maybe didn't pick up their first shot or disc until high school?
JUSTIN OSKING: I think it definately gives me an advantage because rotational shot put and discus technique takes years to master, so the more time you have to work on it, the better you'll be.
JB: You're also an accomplished football player--the quarterback at John Carroll--if you had to choose track & field or football which would it be?
JO: Oh man, that's a tough question, and I get asked that all the time. But I don't think I could choose right now, if I could I'd do both.
JB: How many throws do you usually take in practice? And what does our average week entail?
JO: Normally I'd take about 50 throws of either shot put or discus, but that depends on what coach wants to do. My average week entails throwing Monday through Friday about two hours each day, lifting six days a week for about an hour and a half each day, and I do stadium stairs and sprints on Sunday.
JB: What are some of your favorite technique drills?
JO: (laughs) I don't exactly have a "favorite" drill but my coach sure does love to watch me do alot of full spins while holding the disc, focusing on proper footwork, and stopping in the power position.
JB: I've heard you're hitting about 180 in practice... is that true? What does it feel like when you nail one of those kind of throws? Do you know you have a big one as soon as you release?
JO: Yes, I have hit 180 a few times in practice. When you hit a throw like that it's an amazing feeling! You can feel the disc accelerate and you know it's going to go far. Yes, you know as soon as you release that its going to be big. So many things can go wrong in a throw and when you get them right, it actually feels easy.
JB: Are there certain guys you really look forward to going up against?
JO: Yes, Nathaniel Donley and Cody Horstman. I look forward to going up against Nathaniel because we competed against each other at the District, Region, and State championship last year, and his technique is always fun to watch. I look forward to going up against Cody because we have been friendly rivals for a long time and we always push each other's numbers up.
JB: Do you have any specific goals in mind for this season? And any longer term goals that you want to reach by the time you graduate?
JO: This season my goal is to win the state championship in both the shot put and the discus. My long term goal is the state record; it's a lofty goal, but I like to set the bar high.
JB: One of my favorite events to watch is a throwers relay. Do you have some decent wheels? What kind of 100 time can you run?
JO: (laughs) No, I'm pretty slow. I don't know what my 100 time is, but it's probably pretty bad. I try NOT to do the throwers relay any chance I get.
JB: Okay... you're at a meet and it's getting late and you've only got two bucks in your pocket. Do you go for the nachos or the hot dog at the concession stand?
JO: Well that depends, if hot dogs are $1, I'll get two hot dogs. If they're $2, I'll get nachos.
JB: What is one thing that you've always wanted to do, but haven't gotten the chance yet?
JO: One thing I've always wanted to do is compete in the Olympic Games.
JB: Alright man, thanks for putting up with my dumb questions! Keep up the great work.
