Jamie Schnuck setting records for High Point
By Liz Reichart, A&E Editor //
Jamie Schnuck was always athletic, but had never thrown a weight before coming to college. “In high school, I only ever played basketball and soccer and had always dreamed of playing soccer in college so if someone would have told me that I would end up being a Division I track athlete, I would’ve said they were crazy!” A junior from Oconomowoc, Wisconson, Schnuck is studying exercise science in hopes of one day becoming an emergency room physician.
It was one introduction with the coach of the High Point University Track & Field Team that changed the course of Schnuck’s college experience. “Coach Dudley introduced himself to me the beginning of my sophomore year while I was helping out with freshman Move In Day and insisted I come try out because he thought I had potential to be a great hammer thrower. I figured I had nothing to lose by at least giving it a try!”
From that point on, Schnuck trained and competed with the women’s track and field team in weight throw and shot put. In her 2013-2014 season, Schnuck placed seventh in shot put at Dennis Craddock Invite and finished in fifth in weight throw at Dennis Craddock Invitational, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, making her one of the 22 HPU student-athletes to do so.
It was on Jan. 17 at the JDL Winston-Salem State Open that Jamie set the school record for the women’s weight throw in indoor track and field competition with a throw of 50’ 8.75” (15.46m).
“Leading up to the meet that weekend, I had been throwing well in practice so I really was hoping to get a new personal record that weekend, which I did on my first throw at the meet! The next throw went even farther and finally on my third attempt I broke the record.”
Schnuck’s hard work and dedication had landed her a place in the HPU record books. “As excited as I was to break the record I was equally as excited to have gotten such a huge personal record for the day and it only has driven me to set my sights on throwing even farther! I really had to thank Coach Dudley for all his support and his belief in me since the beginning.”
Schnuck chalks up her throwing success to her technique and balance. “By having the technique down you’re more likely to be successful than someone else who’s a foot taller than you and stronger!”
Throwing is not a very well known area of track and field, but Jamie Schnuck is working hard to make sure people learn. “What most people don’t know about throwing, especially hammer and weight throw, is that you don’t have to be the biggest and strongest girl out there to throw the farthest! I don’t think most people look at me and think, ‘Oh that girl is a thrower for sure,’ considering I’m only 5’3.”
Jamie’s record throw sits as the longest women’s throw in High Point University history – that is at least, until she breaks it again.