1 Laura Loht SO Penn State 49.91mM 163-09 44.91m 49.91m 49.48m 49.06m 46.08m 49.53m 2 Lauren Kenney FR Penn State 47.47m 155-09 FOUL 47.33m 45.39m 43.94m 46.71m 47.47m
8 Megan Boyer SO Penn State 40.59m 133-02 40.59m 38.86m FOUL 34.70m 39.57m 38.36m
Speaking of the javelin, here's a neat article about Dana Zatopkova, Emil Zatopek's widow. She was once the World Record Holder in the Javelin and the Olympic Gold Medalist in the event. She made 4 straight Olympic teams starting in 1948. She still has her wooden javelin used to win the Gold, now the handle of a broom.
10 Melanie Leszcynski FR Penn State 35.49m 116-05 35.49m 34.40m 34.35m 11 Olivia Mangan FR Penn State 33.81m 110-11 31.59m 31.45m 33.81m
And for you javelin aficionados out there, I have a question for you. What is the optimal release angle for the javelin? While I'm at it, what is the optimal release angle for the shot put, discuss and hammer too? And would your answer be the same as what a Physicist would answer?
The optimal release angle would be determined by the velocity at release and the height of release. Did some work with Dr. Dick Nelson at the Biomechanical Lab at PSU.
ReplyDeleteGary Schwartz-former PSU coach
So a taller thrower with longer arms would have a different release angle, depending on velocity, than a shorter one??
ReplyDeleteDifferent meaning steeper or shallower?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Coach. I assume this means lower angles of trajectory in the shot put as larger men are spinning faster than in the "olden days"? I also assume this means that the optimal angle is more similar for all the disciplines than it used to be? I really should look all this stuff up myself! (There's never a better time to put something off than right now.)
ReplyDeleteFrom a scholarly study:
ReplyDelete"For all five athletes, the calculated optimum release angle was in good agreement with the athlete’s preferred release angle."
Maybe it is not of much concern after all?