A season after failing to qualify for the national championships, Windsor Lancers thrower A.J. Stanat is enjoying a breakout season.
"I put a lot of work in during the summer and I knew it was going to pay off,"
The 3rd year thrower has the second best throw in Canada this season. He pulled off a throw of 16.77 metres on his 6th and last attempt at the Team Challenge in Windsor February 10th. "I really wanted to try and hit 17 (metres). Stanat said. "I put that ahead of my technical aspects of my throw."
Once he settled back into what he practiced during warm up the 20-year old landed a throw that ranks him behind Moncton's Samuel Bourque (16.84m).
The throw also moved him onto the all-time Lancers shot put list. Stanat now sits 4th behind Mike Miller (16.97m in Windsor Jan. 15, 2010), Eli Pawliw (17.13m at York Feb. 24, 2017) and Andy Ysebaert (17.23m at Notre Dame Feb. 4, 2012). "I want to be at the top of the list," Stanat said. "If I crack it this year that would be awesome but if not I still recognize I have time left."
Stanat's personal best last season was 14.76 thrown in Windsor last February 25th.
A perfect storm is being witnessed this season. Stanat added strength during the off-season. Combined with a technique change, he is now throwing over 2 metres better than he was 12 months ago.
The St. Thomas native went from being a glide shot putter in high school to a rotational thrower last season. "Last year was his first year learning the rotational technique and this year now he's of course settled into it and really become more proficient at it." said his coach Denise Hebert.
Stanat is the top seed heading into competition this weekend at the OUA championship in Windsor and Hebert feels Stanat could reach the podium at nationals in Winnipeg starting March 7th. "I think he has a chance if he continues to perform the way he's been performing," Hebert said. "He has a chance to get on the podium as well and that would be a really great accomplishment."