Staff:
SHANNON ENNIS, assistant coach at Campbell University, was a gymnast who became a left-handed thrower when she showed up on the track at her high school to get out-of-season conditioning. While on the track, Terry Long from FSU came across her and offered her an opportunity to be a ‘nole. While at FSU, Shannon went on to break the school records for indoor and outdoor shot put, discus, hammer, and weight. She also gained 7 top 3 ACC finishes, 3 ACC Champion titles, and is an All-American. These days she spends her time teaching the next generation of youngsters how to throw. But, if you are lucky and catch her on a good day, she will put her throw shoes on again and coach you while wearing her throw shoes. She has been coaching for 10 years and has over 15 JO All-Americans and All-American Champions. She is USATF level I and II throws certified.
JEFF KLAVES, head coach at UNC-Wilmington, is a Campbell alum and NCAA Academic All-American. Klaves got his bachelor’s from Campbell and his Master’s from ETSU. He worked as a GA under legendary head track coach David Walker, as a graduate assistant. While there he helped lead the ETSU squad to an outdoor conference title. He then served as athletic director at Hobbton HS (Newton Grove, NC) from 2013-2017. Returning to Campbell two years ago to coach the throws program, Coach Klaves has already claimed his first conference champion in the women’s discus. His recruiting class for this year was ranked as one of the top in the country. He is USATF level I and II certified in the throws.
Philosophy:
The club is like its logo the TRISKELE, standing for strength, courage, and perseverance. Throwers will require all three of these traits to find success.
Strength in body is easily perceived as the implements are heavy and require an athlete to be strong to move them. But also strength in mind to overcome the challenges that will arise throughout training and in a career. Throwing takes 3-5 years on average for an athlete to become competent in the skills needed to move themselves through a ring or along a runway. As the athletes body grows stronger with the training, their mind becomes stronger through the discipline required to learn the technical aspect of their event.
Courage to push yourself outside of your comfort zones. Just stepping into a circle or on a runway takes great courage. There are many who will not even attempt throwing. As there is no sport like it, athletes must show a courage of heart and character to allow themselves to fail and look silly while they learn the moves required to throw.
Perseverance to train through the monotony of daily drills and skills needed to teach your body the muscle memory needed to throw far. As others lose focus, can you persevere through the training? Perseverance also shows up when an athlete works through off days or competitions. Do you have the internal fortitude to continue to battle and overcome the slump?
Throwing is an intrinsic sport that requires an athlete to be self-driven. As there are no finish lines, there is always that push to go just a little farther. Great throwers do not compete against others, or for glory and awards; rather they throw against the greatest challenge of all…the chance to beat themselves…over and over and over…
Here’s to beating yourself!