Orloski

SLIPPERY ROCK — Doug Orloski could tell this throw was special and was different from some of the others he had unleashed during his senior season at Slippery Rock High School.

But when the javelin dug into the soft turf 186 feet, 6 inches away, Orloski still was shocked.

"I still didn't realize how far it went," he said. "I didn't realize how good a throw it was until I looked up."

Orloski said he felt different on the runway on that chilly Thursday afternoon at Hickory High last week. He was more focused and more relaxed. And he figured, "what do I have to lose?" he said.

What he gained was a District 10 Class AAA title and a trip to Shippensburg this weekend for the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

He picked a great time for a throw that was more than 20 feet better than his previous best.

In the days before the district meet, Orloski wondered if it was really worth his time to compete.

He had been close to breaking the 170-foot barrier, but had yet to unleash a throw he said he felt he was capable of producing.

"I told him it's a crap shoot," said Slippery Rock boys and girls track and field coach Mike Kish. "It's what I tell all the throwers. You can be stuck in the same place for a long time, then, boom, one goes out there and you are at a new level."

Orloski is at a new level now, looking down on a lot of competitors at the state meet seeded below him with distances close to his 186-plus foot best.

Orloski is seeded fourth in the event at the state meet this season. Another throw like the one he uncorked at Hickory and Orloski might go from wondering if he could even compete at the district meet to wearing a state medal.

"I told him everything now is just a bonus," Kish said. "Just go out there and have fun."

That's what Orloski plans to do.

He's spent this week trying to retrace the steps he took to get his district-winning throw — with mixed results.

"I've been pretty consistent, but nothing like how I threw at the district meet," Orloski said. "I've been around 170. I've done it once. I figure I can do it again."

Orloski is taking that whatever happens, happens attitude with him to Shippensburg.

He also has bigger plans in the future.

He's going to Westminster College to play football and throw the javelin next year.

Orloski was a starting offensive and defensive lineman for the Rockets this season.

Orloski said the state meet will be his chance to end his high school career with a bang.

"It's a good way to go into my college career," he said. "I just want to throw in the 170s at state. If I make it to the finals, I will be happy."