When most kids were throwing tennis balls and Frisbees, John Carroll senior Justin Osking was launching the shot put and discus. He joined a summer track team as a youngster and one thing led to another.
“Well, from the start I was always throwing farther than most kids at my age were. I knew I was going to be pretty good when I set the high school discus record while I was in 8th grade.”
As an 8th grader Osking took home the middle school state championships in both the shot put and discus. He says events like that are what propelled his career and would advise athletes to start as young as possible.
“It definitely was a big help to me, for me things like that were short term goals that helped me achieve more and throw farther every year. I would encourage anyone to start young because it takes a lifetime to master the correct technique for any event.”
In his junior year, Osking took home the 1A state championship in the shot put with a throw of 55-5. Despite the win, he says 2010 was a little bit of a disappointment.
“I won shot in 2010 because I fouled out of discus in districts. It was very disappointing. Last year, I didn’t get any good throws in at all, everything was sloppy and I couldn’t stay in the ring.”
A recent injury sustained in football will be another obstacle for Osking to overcome. Luckily for him, he has sometime before track and field season gets underway. He says he is on the fast track to recovery and should be ready to go when the time comes.
“I tore my ACL and partially tore my MCL. I’m healing faster than normal and I should be able to start throwing in February. I’ll just have a very weak lower body. I have physical therapy three times a week, pretty much working on strengthening the leg and getting my patellar tendon to grow back together.”
The senior, who is considering offers from Miami, FSU, and Mississippi State, says he isn’t quite sure how the injury will affect him, but plans on improving his throws from last season.
“Well, my goal before having this surgery was to throw 200 plus and possibly get the state record, but now I’d say my goal is just to win the state championship in both shot and discus.”
Getting To Know Justin Osking
If you were a candy bar what kind would you be? “If I was a candy bar I’d be a steak because steak is better than candy.”
If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about, and which actor would you want to play you? “If they made a movie of my life it would be a comedy about my high school career. I’d play myself in this movie. Nobody can be me better than me.”
When you were little who was your favorite super hero? “My favorite super hero is Super Man because he is impervious, can fly, and is pretty much the man.”
If you had a time machine that could take you back in time what year would you go to? “If I had a time machine I’d go back to 1985 while they were filming Back to the Future to freak people out.”
Do you have any hidden talents? “My hidden talent is the ability to take power naps.”
Final thoughts: “I want to thank my coach, George Dunn, for all the time he has dedicated to helping me throw farther and get stronger. I also want to thank my head coach, Derrick Gibson, for organizing everything and helping me out during the season.”
Personal Bests
Discus
182-3.5
Shot Put
56-7
