Boston Public School (BPS) athletes can now officially compete in weight-throwing events as part of track-and-field meets.

Until this season, Boston teens training in the event could participate in exhibitions but their efforts did not earn any points that could help their team compete for wins at regular meets – though they could compete formally at state-level meets only.

The weight-throwing event features a large ball weighing 25 to 35 pounds with a handle that is thrown in an enclosed space with a net. Throwers in the BPS City League, often overshadowed by runners, can now be scored and accumulate points and help their teams win a meet with their weight-throw scores. The City League is one of the first statewide to start counting the weight-throw, and this week’s City Championship meet was also the first in league history to score the weight throw as an official event.

“It feels really great to have that this year,” said Demya McClure, a senior from Boston Latin Academy (BLA) who is currently a top 10 best thrower in the state and this year’s girls City Champion. “I felt bad last year because I wasn’t able to help my team with the weight. This year I feel I’m contributing more and can put my all into training and throwing the weight because it will actually help us secure an overall win. It feels good to contribute points to the team in more than just one event.”

Getting the weight throw into the scoring column gives city teams a better chance at scoring higher in state and national meets. The top 15 throwers in the state over the regular season get to advance to the state “Meet of Champions,” where their efforts are scored. Now, being able to focus on the weight-throw during the regular season helps their chances of making the state meet as well.

A key figure behind the throwing events – especially the weight – is Dorchester’s Ted Loska, who officiates throwing events for City League meets. Loska has volunteered to coach boys and girls throwing events, including shot put and discus, for nearly 30 years. Last year, he coached the eventual state champion in the weight toss.

Some years ago, he coached Adrienne Thornton, now a Boston Police officer in Dorchester, to state championships in several throwing events. She held the state record for the weight-toss until two years ago.

“It’s really nice to see the Boston City League out in front of everyone else and being first on something,” said Loska, 73, in an interview during a practice in the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. “One thing about the weight is it’s a lot of fun. Shotput is dangerous, discus is dangerous, but the weight is ridiculous in terms of what can go wrong. That’s what makes it fun.”

Loska, a former swimming director at Dot House, took up throwing events due to an injury in swimming.

“I was involved in a sport that required two arms and my left arm fell apart, so I tried a sport like throwing that only required one arm,” he said.
His daughter, Mieca Kelly, who attended John D. O’Bryant High School in the late 1990s, became one of the top throwers in the city, and then the nation under his direction.

“She graduated and I just kept coming back and now I’ve been coming back and coaching 30 years or so,” said Loska with a laugh. “I’ve always offered coaching to the kids that throw because it’s a great opportunity for them.

He added, “I always say we’re the dark side of track and field, not because we’re evil, but because no one sees us…My favorite kid is the one the coach sends me that can’t run or jump, but they learn to throw and end up walking around their friends with a gold medal or two around their necks.”

Avery Esdaile, senior athletic director for BPS, said making the weight throw official was a no-brainer for BPS and the City League.

“It wasn’t taking anything away from the meets and it provides another opportunity for kids and a way for kids to find their niche in the sport, which is the beauty of track and field,” said Esdaile.

“I think this year everyone is learning about the weight throw and what it means with more people involved and more kids throwing. It’s now a little easier for people to understand what they are accomplishing.”

One of those throwers is Samantha Schell, a senior at O’Bryant who is also ranked top 10 in the state and will likely be throwing next year for UMass Boston. After starting track in 7th grade with her sister, she realized quickly that throwing was going to be her strength.

“I’d say weight and hammer [for outdoor track] are my favorites,” she said, noting that she started the weight in 9th grade.

“They are more complex, and they require more form. You can muscle your way through it, but at a certain point you have to nail down the technique. That’s when you work for it and what I love about it.”

Schell said it was great to be able to learn from Loska, to take her time and then find success.

“I like that I’ve had space to really learn,” she said. “I feel like with sprints there are so many people interested and they are all out front on the track. This is the hidden side of track.”

Loska says some of the athletes who are “totally all muscle” could “throw it a mile” if they train hard. Many have, like Thornton, Schell, McClure, Christian Holt (this year’s boys City Champ) and others. Far more are interested in getting better.

During a practice last month, Dorchester’s Sihamel Perez, of Boston Latin Academy, was taking some of her first weight throws, having just picked up the event this winter. “Hey, that looked really great,” Loska said encouragingly. “Keep doing that.” Perez smiled and enthusiastically ripped off three more throws.

“Ted has been the only coach I’ve had consistently through my entire high school years. He’s been here the entire time,” said McClure.