Throwers take their runBy JEREMIAH BARTZ-Sports editor

PALMER -- Normally the 400-meter relay is reserved for the slender and swift, but even those not so slender, or not so swift, get at least one opportunity to hit the track.

The weightman's relay has become an annual tradition at the Palmer Relays. Dubbed the "Fat Man's Relay," prep throwers drop their discus and hit the track for a shot to show their speed -- or lack there of.

One may think that the throwers would have an issue leaving the sanctuary of their throwing circle for a quick jaunt around the track. In fact, it is nearly the opposite. Nearly all of the throwers look forward to the race and are even excited about it.

"In the huddle some wanted to call it off," said Toni Cox, anchor of the Palmer girls' weightman's relay team. "We've been looking forward to this all week."

Prior to the girls' weightman's relay, local track guru Mike Janecek gave the throwers a quick tutorial on the relay. Janecek's words of relay wisdom were basically the throwers' only insight into the race.

For the most part the throwers' preparation for the relay included a few stretches or a brisk walk around the football field just prior to race time.

"We just took a practice run down the field before the race," Cox said.

The relay merely involves a quick 100-meter dash down the track for each of the four members on each relay team. There is one tricky part though -- the passing of the baton.

The exchange neither worried or troubled the relay teams.

"We dropped it in practice," Colony's Josiah Hubbard said. "We made the mistakes in practice."

Hubbard and his Colony teammates worked out the kinks of the baton exchange just minutes prior to their run.

The casual attitude about the race is what attracts many to the event.

"It's totally fun, laid back and no stress," Palmer high junior Nick Pilch added. "We always look forward to it."

Despite the casual atmosphere, the relays did not lack excitement. The boys' weightman's relay even included a photo finish.

Colony's squad of Hubbard, Ben Clyde, Ryan Wilson and Frank Gamboa edged out the Palmer squad by just one-tenth of a second during the first heat.

The Palmer team had the lead over the Knight squad initially, but Gamboa, the anchor of the Colony team, sped past the Moose anchor to win the slim victory.

"Palmer had the edge and I accelerated and ran as fast as I could," Gamboa said. "All I could think of was, 'oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.'"