Sound technique key in West Holmes' Maddax Graham's discus win at OCC meet

ASHLAND − At the very beginning of the boys discus event on Friday evening during the Ohio Cardinal Conference track and field meet at Ashland University, West Holmes' Maddax Graham had put himself into a little bit of a bind. On his first throw, Graham tossed it out of bounds, which put a some pressure on him to get it right the next time. But what he focused on correcting after that was pretty clear to him: technique.

"I was too open. I was throwing my left into the middle and I needed to be more patient," said Graham afterwards. "I needed to let my lower body work in front of my upper body.

That's what I worked on and it showed in my throws. " It did. On his second throw in the final round (each thrower got three throws in the final), Graham buckled down and heaved a throw of 159' 10".

On his third and final throw of the day, the junior got low and threw with all his might, and reached 169' 5". The only problem was that it landed just outside the line, making his discus throw of 159' 10" the furthest throw of the day that clinched Graham his first discus title at the OCC meet of his preps career. More: Packed day doesn't stop Orrville's Caden Race in fourth PAC meet pole vault title Said Graham, "I knew I was in first place on that last throw.