The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Men’s Track: Hunter places seventh at NCAA’s

By Kirby Morrison

Nate Hunter, a junior thrower on the men’s track team finished seventh overall in the shot put at the NCAA Championship at Texas A&M March 13 earning him All-America status. Hunter finished ahead of half the field after entering seeded 14th out of 14 throwers.
‘When I finally realized I was gonna finish seventh I was really happy,’ Hunter said. ‘I set goals out this year and I accomplished all those and to be All-America is another addition to how happy I am.’
Keeping himself cool, calm and collected, the Gloucester native posted a career high of 61-feet 4.75-inches at Nationals on his fourth of six throws.
‘It was one of those things, I used to get real nervous, but I’ve been able to have fun with it,’ Hunter said. ‘I just figure you’re there for a reason and everything seemed to happen for a reason this season. I just got into the circle and did what I’ve been trained to do.’
Hunter reached his personal goal of 60-feet multiple times this year. This was a personal goal he set back in high school when he began shot put.
‘One of my other football buddies just happened to say, ‘Hey you want to throw the shot put?’ I said ‘Alright, what’s the shot put?’ Just happened to be something I was interested in,’ he said. ‘Just sparked my interest when I threw it. It seemed like fun and it turned into something more competitive.’
He also said that before breaking his personal goal of 60-feet for the first time at the New England Championships three weeks ago, he ate a whopper. With results that Hunter is putting up lately, he will probably keep eating those whoppers.
The indoor season is done but the outdoor season is rapidly approaching, and Hunter will continue to throw the shot put, discus and hammer outdoors. Hunter will also be competing at The University of Texas at Austin in the’ 82nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in early April. Hunter described the Texas Relays as ‘the closest thing to nationals. They don’t mess around in Texas.’
Since Feb. 28 Hunter has won the shot put event at the New England Championship and the IC4A Championship, posting throws surpassing 60-feet at each event.
Hunter went onto discuss his rituals and superstitions that he performs before a meet.
‘I try to do the same thing every time; I usually try to get myself going,’ he said. ‘Adam Nelson [Olympic silver medalist], he goes nuts man. He rips off his shirt, starts freaking out before a throw. Really gets the crowd into it. I’d like to implement that if I could.’

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