Ten girls qualified for the final round of the Class 2A girls discus competition at the high school track and field state meet, but Maggie Ewen had only one real competitor: herself.
The St. Francis senior, who is the No. 1-ranked thrower in the nation, won her fourth straight discus state championship with a throw of 167 feet, 1 inch on Friday morning at Hamline University.
That was more than 30 feet longer than the best throw from second-place finisher Kasie Vollmer of Prior Lake, but Ewen was slightly disappointed. She missed her own state record by 4 feet, 8 inches.
“I think I just need more practice,” said Ewen, who goes for a third-straight state title in the shot put Saturday.
Despite her rigorous training schedule, Ewen shuns routines. She prefers to relax during competitions and crack jokes with the other girls. Until it’s time to throw, that is.
Once inside the circle, her smile fades away. She glances over her shoulder at her target and then rocks slowly to her right two times. The crouch on her second rotation indicates she’s ready for the agile hop and spin that will propel the 2.2-pound disc in her right hand into the distance.
“It’s what my dad did in college,” Ewen said of her throwing style. “I learned it from him.”
Those in attendance Friday couldn’t help but applaud as two of Ewen’s tosses landed more than 160 feet away. The soon-to-be Arizona State Sun Devil athlete will miss wowing Minnesota crowds when the weekend is over.
“It’s different,” Ewen said. “I expect to come back next year, but then I remember, ‘No, this is the last time you’ll ever do this.’ ”
St. Francis throwing coach Mark Hanson knows he’s been in close proximity to greatness for the past four seasons.
“She’s easily one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached,” Hanson said. “She’s a great leader for my team. It’s her last hurrah, and we want her to leave this place and say, ‘Hey, I gave it everything I had.’ ”
In Saturday’s shot put, Ewen will attempt to break the state record of 51 feet, 7 1/2 inches. Her personal best is 54 feet, 1 inch, set at the New Balance Indoor Nationals this winter, so she knows she’ll have to be at her best to claim another record.
Ewen has a busy month ahead of her. She’s off to the New Balance Outdoor Nationals next weekend in North Carolina and then competes in the USA Junior Championships on June 19.
First, though, Ewen must say goodbye to the Minnesota high school circuit she’s dominated for so long.
“I’ll miss my friends,” she said.
While Ewen will be missed, some throwers will be happy to have a chance without her in the field. Prior Lake’s Vollmer, a junior, summed up what her competitors were probably thinking: “It’ll be a lot closer next year.”
