There is something about those Texas Friday Night Lights.
South Beauregard's Trinity Spooner experienced the magic late Friday evening competing in the girls javelin at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. On her second throw, Spooner unleashed a throw of 171-11.
That is not a misprint.
It's the longest throw in Louisiana history and breaks Benton's Rachel Walker's twenty-one year old record of 164-4, which was set in 2002 at the LHSAA State Outdoor Meet on her final throw.
It's also a meet record, which was set last year by Spooner's friend-Mckenzie Fairchild of Andale, Kansas. Fairchild's 169-4 only lasted one year on the books.
"To be honest, I'm not going to say I was overwhelmed when I walked into the stadium, but there was a lot going on," Spooner said of walking into historic Mike A. Myers Stadium for the first time.
The big throw came on her second throw of the competition.
"When I planted my right and left foot hit almost simultaneously," Spooner said of the longest throw in Louisiana history. "I struggle with staying on my right foot too long, and when I do so my center of mass gets out of place. But on that throw I was able to stay back and use my lower half."
When it left her hand, Spooner had no idea how far the javelin was going.
"I couldn't tell when it left," Spooner said. "I don't know if it's because I've never really competed in the dark and my depth perception is just that bad. But the throw felt clean and effortless. It didn't feel like I even had to put power into it."
Since she was in the eighth grade, Spooner has been traveling to Baton Rouge to work with Coach Robert Woosley on the weekends.
"She is the first kid I have ever worked with that I thought would be the first girl to throw the javelin 170 feet, and she proved me right," Woosley said.
"She just knows how to throw," Woosley said. "She is not overly technical. She is not overly blessed with physical attributes. Nothing impresses you until she puts the javelin in her hand and throws it."
As remarkable as Spooner's accomplishments are this season, Woosley is even more excited about Spooner's future.
"When she gets into a program and starts weight training, and spending time on the track, I think she is going to really take off," Woosely said. "I'm really happy about where she is right now, but I'm even more excited about where she is going."
LSU throws coach Jerry Clayton is excited about where Spooner is going too. She signed with the Tigers on National Signing Day.
For now, Spooner will continue to work, but also have fun as she closes out her high school career. It's something she has to remind herself--especially during big competitions like the Texas Relays. She had to remind herself of the same thing before her big throw.
"I was just thinking about staying smooth, in rhythm, and having fun," Spooner said. "A lot of times I put pressure on myself to perform, and that is usually when I try too hard. But it's when I remind myself that this all just supposed to be fun...that's when I amaze myself."
She amazed everyone Friday night.
"It's just incredible," Spooner said of being the best javelin thrower in Louisiana history. "I've been saying for the past few years that I wanted that state record, but I exceeded my expectations. I imagined myself finishing off this season in the upper 160s and eventually surpassing the record by a foot or two. But seven feet made it even better."
There is something about those Texas Friday Night Lights.
South Beauregard's Trinity Spooner experienced the magic late Friday evening competing in the girls javelin at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. On her second throw, Spooner unleashed a throw of 171-11.