Jacobsen places 8th at Junior Outdoor Nationals

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 6/30/16

Recent Toll Gate graduate Courtney Jacobsen tacked on to her extensive list of hammer throwing accolades on Saturday.

The two-time high school All-American secured an eighth-place finish at the …

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Jacobsen places 8th at Junior Outdoor Nationals

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Recent Toll Gate graduate Courtney Jacobsen tacked on to her extensive list of hammer throwing accolades on Saturday.

The two-time high school All-American secured an eighth-place finish at the U.S. Track and Field Junior Outdoor National Championships in Clovis, California, with the best performance of her career to date. Her series of 182 feet, nine inches; 178 feet, four inches; 175 feet, two inches; 185 feet, four inches; 183 feet, six inches; and 184 feet, 11 inches helped Jacobsen grab a top-10 finish in a field that featured mostly college freshmen, as 20 years of age was the cut-off for the competition.

The impressive placement capped off a tremendous season for Jacobsen, who was hands-down the best thrower in the state this spring, and it wasn’t even close.

Jacobsen eclipsed the 180-foot plateau 10 times this season, with her longest throw measuring in at 185 feet, 11 inches. To put into perspective how impressive that is, Jacobsen’s longest throw puts her third all-time in state history behind West Warwick’s Kristen Michalski (189 feet) and state record holder and former Warwick Vets standout Kate Johnston (189 feet, three inches).

In terms of competition this spring, Jacobsen’s biggest competitor was Ponaganset’s Gianna Rao, who ranked second in the state with a personal-best distance of 174 feet, nine inches.

However, the former Toll Gate senior recorded 37 throws longer than Rao’s best toss.

“She dominated Rhode Island competition,” Jacobsen’s throwing coach Keith Johnston said. “To have 37 throws longer than the second-place girl, that’s quite impressive.”

Jacobsen came in to Toll Gate as a runner, but was pushed to throw weights by coach Norm Bouthillier.

That decision to go the throwing route has paid dividends for Jacobsen, who will attend the University of Michigan in the fall on a track and field scholarship.

Johnston, who is the father of state record holder Kate Johnston, became Jacobsen’s coach during her junior year.

He noted that her progression over the last two seasons has been outstanding, and he is confident that Jacobsen will work to excel at the collegiate level.

“I think she’s going to do great,” Johnston said. “I started her on a strength program a year ago, and her strength level is improving. The sky’s the limit for her because of her dedication. The biggest thing is her strength, because if you look at a lot of the college throwers, Courtney is smaller than a lot of those girls. But I’m confident she’ll continue to improve her strength.”

Now, Jacobsen will leave Toll Gate behind ranked as the No. 3 girls’ hammer thrower in state history.

The results she earned as a Titan occurred because of the year-round dedication she displayed. If that same work ethic continues, Jacobsen should have no problem encountering success as a Wolverine.

“She’s a great kid and works so hard,” Johnston said. “All of her hard work has paid off.”

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