Former Shawnee Heights javelin standout Alyssa Conway has developed into one of NCAA Division II's top hammer throwers for Emporia State track and field. [Photo courtesy of Stephen Coleman]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It’s probably safe to say that most high school athletes in Kansas have no idea what the hammer is or how to throw it.
But that’s understandable. In fact, it hasn’t been that long ago that Emporia State track and field standout Alyssa Conway, a Shawnee Heights product, was in the same position.
“I was so confused when I came here and coach asked me if I wanted to try out the hammer,’’ said Conway, primarily a javelin thrower in high school. “I was like, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ I had no idea what I was getting myself into and that was probably for the better.
From that humble beginning, Conway has become the most prolific hammer thrower in ESU history, breaking the 23-year-old school record held by another Topekan, Washburn Rural’s Laura Mayo, at the Drake Relays two weeks ago.
Shawnee Heights graduate is the new Emporia State record-holder in the women's hammer throw. [Photo courtesy of Stephen Coleman]
Last week Conway was named the MIAA Field Athlete of the Week after winning in the Alex Francis Classic at Fort Hays State, her second win in three weeks after finishing second in the prestigious Drake event.
Slowly but surely Conway has fallen in love with the hammer.
“Now it’s by far my favorite event,’’ said Conway second in the Class 5A state meet in the javelin for Shawnee Heights. “Hammer is kind of one of those events where it’s all technical. It’s all about technique and you don’t have to be the strongest, you don’t have to be the tallest or the most powerful.
“I’m only 5-(foot)-4, pretty small, but it’s based off a lot of technique and where the other (throwing) events you can kind of come in and just power your way through it, the hammer’s not like that. If you try to power your way through a hammer throw without the technique you’re going to fall on your face every time. A lot of work, a lot of hours have been put into technique.’’
Conway, a sophomore in terms of eligibility, has come into her own this spring after having all of the 2020 season wiped out by COVID-19.
“The past three years just working on the craft, trying to perfect it, have paid off,’’ Conway said. “I do believe last year would have kind of been a little bit of a sneak peak of what this year could have been, but having that extra time -- time off and time to train -- all throughout last year’s outdoor season and now having an extra year of eligibility really kind of gave me an advantage for this year.’’
Now Conway just wants to cap her breakout season with a bang.
She will compete this weekend in the MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Pittsburg State and is a good bet to advance to the NCAA Nationals at the end of the month after posting provisional qualifying throws in all six of her meets thus far.
Conway threw 187 feet, 4 inches (57.11 meters) last week at Hays to win in a field that included three of the top 13 throwers in the nation.
“Really I just want to see how far I can go this year,’’ Conway said. “I don’t have too many specific goals. I did have one main goal for this year and that was to break the school record. Luckily I was able to get that mark at the Drake Relays a little bit earlier than I was expecting, so now I think the options are open.
“As far as the conference meet, as far as the national meet goes, anything is possible. I just want to go out and give it my all.’’
