No Hammer Throw in Ohio High School Next Year?

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bgtri11

Member
I just got an email from the OHSAA (all coaches should have gotten it) that had a bunch of updates on regulations for the 2024 - 2025 cross country and track and field seasons. One of those said, "Hammer throw is now a prohibited event in Ohio."

It did not give any reasons for it but assuming safety? I hope this is something that the coaches can rally around and push back to get changed. We've had multiple throwers who earned college scholarships because of their marks in the Hammer Throw. It also has been a favorite event for many of our throwers and gives the throwers a 3rd event they can compete in. I realize they could do other track events, but the majority of our throwers (and I'm sure at other schools) only paricipate in throws.

Curious what others think or have heard about this.
 
 
In related news they also banned the suplex off the top rope in wrestling as well as the sleeper hold
 
As my own follow-up, I will continue documenting Ohio HS hammer throwers into the future as I have. The 2000-2025 era I will refer to as The Enlightened Era - 2.0 of OHSAA HS t&f where the hammer throw was once again permitted. The first era, 1.0, was from 1908-1916 where the 12 lb hammer throw was actually contested in the state meet. From 1917-37, the javelin throw replaced the hammer as the 3rd throwing opportunity for HS throwers.

Once again, Ohio, despite its huge HS population, regresses into the paleolithic age of t&f.
 
The weight throw is only similar in the technique used to preform the event. The flight of the implement is very different due to the length and weight distribution of the hammer and the distance in can be thrown. In general, the weight goes the distance of the shot put and the hammer can/should go a lot farther… like the discus, but due to the handle, in a different flight pattern. Probably can be more dangerous, but banning events is not good for the sport IMO is it sets a precedent where other events may be deemed “too dangerous” as well.
 
BJ Duckworth states 'not a decision that was taken lightly.'

What prompted the change? Insurance. Injury to volunteers, officials, fans, athletes?

I'm not a fan of this ruling unless it was for a reason. Please give a reason Duckworth.

The hard part for many track and field programs is that $10,000+ cages were purchased around the state to accommodate the safety of the hammer throw to be allowed.

The track and field progression with rules from the 80s through 2010 was ridiculous. It seemed from the outsider that rules were made to help the political agendas of people like Duckworth. Sitting idle was not an option for officials if they wanted to please their superiors.

Within the past year, we have now outlawed water on cross-country courses and now an Olympic event in track and field.

I would have guessed steeplechase would be outlawed next before hammer throw. With the 'water hazard' actually being a hazard.

I understand that safety is a major priority of OHSAA but where does it end?
 
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bgtri11 said:
I just got an email from the OHSAA (all coaches should have gotten it) that had a bunch of updates on regulations for the 2024 - 2025 cross country and track and field seasons. One of those said, "Hammer throw is now a prohibited event in Ohio."

It did not give any reasons for it but assuming safety? I hope this is something that the coaches can rally around and push back to get changed. We've had multiple throwers who earned college scholarships because of their marks in the Hammer Throw. It also has been a favorite event for many of our throwers and gives the throwers a 3rd event they can compete in. I realize they could do other track events, but the majority of our throwers (and I'm sure at other schools) only paricipate in throws.

Curious what others think or have heard about this.
Click to expand...

EuclidandViren said:
BJ Duckworth states 'not a decision that was taken lightly.'

What prompted the change? Insurance. Injury to volunteers, officials, fans, athletes?

I'm not a fan of this ruling unless it was for a reason. Please give a reason Duckworth.

The hard part for many track and field programs is that $10,000+ cages were purchased around the state to accommodate the safety of the hammer throw to be allowed.

The track and field progression with rules from the 80s through 2010 was ridiculous. It seemed from the outsider that rules were made to help the political agendas of people like Duckworth. Sitting idle was not an option for officials if they wanted to please their superiors.

Within the past year, we have now outlawed water on cross-country courses and now an Olympic event in track and field.

I would have guessed steeplechase would be outlawed next before hammer throw. With the 'water hazard' actually being a hazard.

I understand that safety is a major priority of OHSAA but where does it end?
Click to expand...

ENA2 said:
The weight throw is only similar in the technique used to preform the event. The flight of the implement is very different due to the length and weight distribution of the hammer and the distance in can be thrown. In general, the weight goes the distance of the shot put and the hammer can/should go a lot farther… like the discus, but due to the handle, in a different flight pattern. Probably can be more dangerous, but banning events is not good for the sport IMO is it sets a precedent where other events may be deemed “too dangerous” as well.
Click to expand...
Incredible step backward.
 
Can someone here help me find the correct weight for the Indoor Weight Throw in Ohio HS indoor meets (boys and girls)?
Please & thanks!
 
For the hardcore weight throw enthusiasts, I thought I'd post these statistics regarding cut-off levels for boys & girls weight throws in Ohio HS history. All data through this past weekend.

Boys
#1 - 83' 7 1/4"
#10 - 74' 4"
#30 - 68' 10"
#50 - 64' 8 1/2"
#100 - 60' 3 1/2"
#150 - 57' 0"
189 throwers 55' 0" or better

Girls
#1 - 64' 11"
#10 - 53' 10 3/4"
#30 - 50' 0 1/2" (corrected)
#50 - 47' 11" (corrected)
#100 - 45' 2" (corrected)
#150 - 43' 2 1/2" (corrected)
#200 - 40' 5 1/2" (corrected)
210 throwers 40' 0" or better (corrected)
 
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