Javelin paying off for Double
SLIPPERY ROCK — Natalie Double is all about staying busy.
The Slippery Rock High School senior plays in the marching band and competes for the volleyball team in the winter and is one of the Rockets’ top swimmers in the fall. She swam for the Slippery Rock Eels as well.
But in her mind, she wasn’t busy enough.
“I needed something to do in the spring,” she said.
So Double joined the Rockets’ track and field team, specializing in the javelin. And she’ll continue to do so.
Double recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and javelin career at Waynesburg University.
“I always thought I’d be a swimmer in college,” Double said. “I’m a little surprised at the way things worked out.”
Double advanced to the PIAA Championships in swimming. She stood out in the 200- and 100-yard freestyle, 50- and 100-yard backstroke. She swam a leg of Slippery Rock’s 200 medley relay that placed sixth in the state.
The Rockets’ girls swim team won the region championship in back to back seasons.
She also looked at Connecticut College, Ursinus and Middlebury before opting for Waynesburg.
“I went to states in swimming and I wanted to swim in college,” Double said. “But I want to study journalism in and Waynesburg has a great program there. They don’t have a swim team, so I had to give that up.
“It’s OK, though. I’m still competing and I have new goals to shoot for.”
Double qualified for the PIAA Track and Field Championships this spring, placing second in the javelin at the District 10 meet. Her throw was 108 feet, 11 inches.
Her personal-best throw this season was 113 feet, 5 inches, fifth best in all of Butler County.
“Natalie is filled with untapped potential,” Slippery Rock throwing coach Dajah Mincey said. “She’s done this well with virtually no experience and do little time practicing the javelin.
“Once she gets into college, will not have all of those other sports and activities she’s done in high school, refines technique ... She may take off in the sport.”
Double is thinking much the same way.
“I want to get up into the 130’s,” she said of her javelin distance. “Obviously, I want to make an impact there and help the team.”
Chris Hardie has been Waynesburg’s track and field coach for four years. The Yellowjackets’ women’s team finished eighth out of 11 teams at the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships this spring.
Bella Dolce, a senior, was the only thrower listed on the Waynesburg roster this season.
“The strides Natalie made from the beginning of this season to the end were amazing,” Mincey said. “I know she’s going to keep improving at a drastic rate.”
