ADAMS TWP — Volleyball quenches most of Zoe Pawlak’s competitive thirst.

Swimming augments that as well. But throwing the javelin is stoking her athletic fire this spring.

And the Freeport sophomore is making great progress in the event.

Pawlak had a throw of 119 feet, 2 inches at the Mars Invitational on a soggy Friday.

The toss was good enough for first place.

“It’s fun to do because I’m not a track and field person; I do other things,” Pawlak said. “Just to come here and compete is great. I practice the jav a lot, but it’s not every single day in practice. So, just to have the luck to throw that far here is great.”

Just a few weeks ago, Pawlak was still struggling in the event, touching the low-to-mid-90s on her throws.

Then something clicked. Pawlak uncorked a heave of 120 feet two weeks ago. Since she hasn’t had a throw less than 108 feet in the event.

“She just calmed down and became real smooth,” said Freeport boys and girls track and field coach John Gaillot. “She just got the javelin to fly right.”

That was the hardest obstacle for Pawlak, who is tall and strong.

That strength has served her well on the volleyball court as an all-state performer as an outside hitter and it also has helped her in the pool.

It became a hindrance while throwing the javelin, however.

“I was trying to muscle it,” Pawlak said. “Even in the beginning of the year I was still throwing in the 90s like I was last year. Competitive people like myself, you just want to muscle it and it really isn’t about that. It’s about technique.”

Gaillot said Pawlak’s technique is improving almost daily.

“It’s all about the flight,” Gaillot said. “She finally got it, and I really have high hopes for her. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets to 130.”

Pawlak, though, is very much an athlete divided among many sports.

Volleyball takes precedence and she often has to leave track and field practice early to go to club volleyball events or practices. The Freeport coaches have given her their blessing.

Pawlak also throws the shot put, discus and competes in the high jump for the Yellowjackets.

Right now, though, the javelin seems to be her best event.

Pawlak said she multi-tasks so much because that’s just who she is.

“I do it just to do something else for the school,” Pawlak said. “I like hanging out with my friends — so many are out for the track team. But, basically, I just love competing.”

Pawlak, like any fiery competitor, has set some lofty goals for herself before she is done.

“I want to break the school record by my senior year,” Pawlak said of the mark of 139-4 set by Beth Shearer in 1983. “If I keep working and improving, I think I can get it.”