BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
AUSTIN — “It only takes one throw.”
That’s the mantra by which discus thrower Nora Monie defined her senior season at Sharyland Pioneer. Those five words were made prophetic when her final attempt won her the Class 5A championship during the second day of the UIL state track and field meet Friday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Monie’s gold-medal throw measured 141 feet, 8 inches. The senior entered the final round trailing Makayla Bonner of Carrolton Creekview (133-11) by 8 inches. As a steady drizzle fell on athletes and spectators alike, Monie prepared for her final shot at first.
“I wasn’t thinking about my footwook,” Monie said. “I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I just let the disc fly… I didn’t really look when I let it go. I was just like, “You better get your foot in the (throwing) ring.’ I didn’t want to scratch.”
The event was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., but was delayed 90 minutes due to heavy rains and lightning. Several attempts were made to dry the throwing pit, all in vain. Every competitor threw in standing water.
“It affected everyone,” Monie said. “I haven’t practiced in the rain, but I’ve practiced in mud. When I was warming up earlier, there was a lot of water in the ring. But once your feet are soaking wet, it doesn’t make a difference. If your feet are we and the ring is a swimming pool, you’re fine.”
After Nora’s go-ahead throw to take the lead, Bonner was given a final chance to reclaim first, but her final attempt of 119-05 was well short.
“I didn’t watch her throw,” Monie said. “I just watched the (throwing lines). I didn’t want to watch because I didn’t want to make her nervous.”
Friday’s medal is Monie’s second in as many days. She won bronze in the shot put on Thursday with a throw of 41-4.75. Though Monie hoped to break her personal best of 145-02 in the discus, she’s happy with her performance despite the soggy conditions.
“I still did the best I could given the weather,” she said.
Coach Larry Howell fought back tears after the win.
“The ones I coach are like my kids,” he said.
Brittany Vielma of PSJA Southwest also competed in the event and placed eighth with an attempt of 116-09.