A shot at the gold discus

By Kenton Brooks
Phoenix Sports Writer

Fri, May 16 2008

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Back when she was a freshman, Shanell Lyons knew she wanted to do something in track.
“I didn’t want to run,” she said.
Lyons walked over to the discus ring and found an event in which she could excel.
Now, four years later, the Muskogee High School senior is poised to make her third consecutive appearance in the state meet later this week in Ardmore.
She comes in as a Class 6A regional champion, throwing 106 feet, 6 inches at the meet last week in Skiatook.
That’s not bad for someone who had to teach herself how to throw.
“We had a coach who really didn’t know what he was doing and I learned how from other people,” Lyons said. “I started doing it in seventh grade. I like the discus because I’m actually good at it.”
But her technique may be a little different from those who are familiar with the event. Lyons doesn’t spin in the circle but rather stands and lets it go.
“I’m a power thrower,” she said.
Lyons is also serious about the discus, according to MHS coach Angie Hillmon. She doesn’t have to watch Lyons all of the time.
“Shanell knows when she has a bad or good throw,” Hillmon said. “She corrects herself on what she does wrong. I’m watching her for 30-40 minutes and the rest of the time I’m working the sprinters.
“Shanell has been doing conditioning and strength training on her own. She’s also did some running on her own.”
A good example of self-correction came at regionals last week. She was throwing into a strong wind and knew enough to throw the discus flatter and not as high in the air to avoid the wind.
“She did really well,” Hillmon said.
Lyons hopes to do well again at state. She actually practices her throwing for 30 minutes per day and knows well enough not to overdo it.
“I don’t want to throw my arm out in practice. I’m getting a lot of rest before state,” she said. “I’m usually out there by myself and that’s fine with me because I get more done that way.”
Lyons hopes to get more done this year at state.
She finished sixth and threw 105 feet as a sophomore. Despite qualifying for state last season, Lyons didn’t make the finals as a junior after finishing as the regional runner-up.
“I’m more focused this year,” Lyons said.
Lyons also is one of five Rougherettes competing in the state meet.
The others include Colby Alexander in the 400-meter dash and 800- and 1,600-relays along with Lakeia Logan, Brittany Anderson and Leta Crawford in the 800 relay and Myesha Pease and Payton Johnson in the 1,600-relay.

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