The Hammer Throw Wins State Meet Event Poll
Last week we polled our audience to see what event they would most like to see added to the outdoor state meet. The choices were hammer throw, steeplechase, 4x200m, sprint medley, & distance medley. A total of 315 votes were cast, and the winner was the hammer throw with 32.7% of the vote (103 votes), steeplechase was second with 27.62% (87 votes) while distance medley relay received 15.24% (48 votes).
Adding the hammer throw to the state meet presents a few challenges mainly related to safety and cost. A proper hammer throwing cage can be pricey 18k-25k, and only Bates, Bowdoin, & Colby are likely to have one. Without a proper throwing cage, contesting the event during regular season meets would be a huge safety challenge as well. Currently, only Rhode Island & Ohio throw the hammer throw in state meet competition, while New York allows it at invitationals. If Maine where to add the event it would give throwers another event option to go with the shot put, discus, and javelin events that are currently offered.
The other option was a popular one. Here are some "other" events are voters would like to see added to the state meet. The 5000m and Co-ed relay were the most popular choices.
- Shuttle Hurdle Relay
- 600m (3)
- 10,000m
- Elimination Mile (3)
- 5,000m (5)
- None, there are already too many
- Co-ed Relay (4x200, 4x400 or 4x800) (5)
- Pentathlon
- 600yd
- Decathalon/Heptathlon (2)
- Broad Jump
- Swedish Relay (1-2-3-4)
- Throwers Relay