Avon's Al Gunter balances all three throwing events while chasing Class B state titles

In the shot put ring, he carries the same consistency that has made him one of the top Class B throwers in South Dakota this spring. And then there is the javelin throw, the event that continues to challenge him and push him. Most throwers stand out in one event, sometimes two.

But as Gunter prepares for the Class B state track and field championships on May 28-30 in Sioux Falls, the Pirate senior is balancing all three throwing events while chasing individual state medals in each of them. "Normally, I just kind of focus on one event, day-by-day," Gunter said. "Say we have a track meet on Thursday, I will focus on shot put on Monday.

Then, I will throw discus on Tuesday and javelin on Wednesday. Mainly, I just try to squeeze in all three throws before the track meet that week which can be hard at times but I make it work. " The system has worked well this season.

Gunter enters the state meet coming off one of the best stretches of his throwing career, highlighted by a school-record performance in the discus at Avon's home last chance meet Thursday. He uncorked a throw of 155 feet, 8 inches, to break the school record and claim the event title. The mark also ranks second in Class B this season, trailing only Alcester-Hudson's Evan Haak at 155-11.