Old Tappan thrower Layla Giordano wins shot put and discus at Meet of Champions

Photo Credits: Anna-Marie Caruso NorthJersey.com

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP — In one year, Layla Giordano went from being a promising jumper to New Jersey’s top thrower.

The Old Tappan junior put a final stamp on the spring track and field season when she won the shot put and discus at the 54th NJSIAA Meet of Champions on Thursday at Franklin High School.

Giordano captured her first NJSIAA titles and joined three other North Jersey individual event winners at the season-ending meet, including teammate Abigail Dennis, who won the 100-meter hurdles.

“This is what I’ve been working for all season. I was No. 1 in discus and No. 2 in shot all season. Sweeping the throws just solidifies that I’m the state’s No. 1 girls thrower,” Giordano said. “I know I have a lot more in me. I was right around my goal and now I’ve set bigger goals. It was great that I was just able to finish the season like this.”

Giordano set a personal record in the discus by more than two feet, throwing a meet-best 159-7 to outdistance runner-up Rylie Theuerkauf by 27 feet.

Her performance in the shot put was equally impressive, although her outcome was surprising by even her own standards. Last week, she claimed gold in the discus at the group championships, but finished sixth in the shot put.

“Shot put isn’t my favorite event” said Giordano, who had a top throw of 44-3. “I love throwing the disc. I’ve been in a slump the last few weeks. The goal was to get to the finals and I then felt like I could take it from there. Today gave me a lot of confidence.”

Old Tappan throws coach Peter Dunn has watched Giordano’s progression and growth over the last year.

“I’m actually amazed how quickly she’s picked things up. It’s textbook, honestly, the way she’s been able to improve throughout the season,” Dunn said. “Even this year, there was a time she went through a lull in the shot put for a few weeks. It happens with throwers. There are times when they go through a period when they’re not feeling things. Believe it or not, she’s still going through it. But she was able to get a good throw off today and it hung on for the win.”

On Friday, Giordano will compete in discus at New Balance Outdoor Nationals at Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania.

Source Link: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/track/2023/06/15/nj-track-and-field-old-tappan-layla-giordano-wins-shot-put-discus-at-meet-of-champions/70314065007/

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