JOEL'S TRACK AND FIELD CAREER IN A NUTSHELL

Joel Sward was born March 5, 1969, in Winona, MN.  He graduated from Red Wing Central High School, Red Wing, MN in 1987 and from Drake University, Des Moines, IA with a BA, in 1995.  He continued to compete after college as an unattached athlete.

PRs: Shot Put-61’7 3/4”(1992); Discus-168’1”(1991)

Major Meets: Shot Put-14th)NCAA Indoor (1991); 13th)NCAA Outdoor (1991); 20th)Olympic Trials (1992); 20th)USATF Outdoor (1997).

Progression (World & U.S. Rankings in parentheses):

Year      Age        Affiliation           Shot Put             Discus
1985        16       RWHS So          48’8”(hs*)          126’4”(hs*)
1986        17       RWHS Jr           52’4”(hs*)          144’6”(hs*)
1987        18       RWHS Sr          59’1”(hs*)          173’10”(hs*)
high school eligibility complete
1988        19      unattached                -                         -
1989        20        Drake Fr          55’2”(x,x)            146’3”(x,x)   
1990        21        Drake So         55’8 1/2”(x,x)      147’3”(x,x)    
1991        22        Drake Jr           61’6” (x,15)         168’1”(x,x)                
1992        23        Drake Sr          61’7 3/4”(x,23)    161’2”(x,x)  
collegiate eligibility complete
1993        24       unattached                  -                      -
1994        25       unattached                  -                      -
1995        26       unattached                  -                      -            
1996        27       unattached                  -                      - 
1997        28       unattached       60’6 3/4”(x,36)    143’10”(x,x)
1998        29       unattached       57’4” (x,x)

-----

Note: The high school implements (hs*) are lighter.  The high school shot put weighs 12lb and the discus weighs 3.52lb.  After high school you throw a 16lb shot put and a 4.4lb discus.
1