Moran's discus soars past Oregon all-time record

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

EUGENE – When Shelby Moran of Sherwood OR won the Class 6A discus title last May but didn’t break the all-time state record, the day was tinged with disappointment.

Moran has been striving to become the best discus thrower in state history for the past year now and finally nailed down that goal Friday with two marks beyond 162 feet. After two fouls, Moran threw 162-10 to break Laura Bobek’s 2009 state record by nine inches. Then on her fourth and final throw, she threw 162-5 for the second-best mark in state history.

“I knew I was going to get (the record),” Moran said. “I’ve been consistently in the high 150s. I knew I was ready.” INTERVIEW

Moran, like many other Northwest athletes, benefitted over the weekend in Eugene from having two dry days in which to compete.

Oregon, Washington and British Columbia have all been exceptionally wet in 2017 as winter weather has lingered into spring.

Moran, a junior, has moved into the top five nationally with her 162-10 and hopes that mark is merely a jumping off point for bigger throws yet to come.

"It brings some joy to me," she said. "It's a mile marker I've been wanting to hit."

She started throwing in the sixth grade because her older brother had taken an interest in it. And when she began to taste success, Moran’s dedication to throwing grew.

In the eighth grade, she began working with Scott Skipper, coach of the Super Throwers Club.

“Any time I’ve given her something to do, she’s done it to 100 percent,” Skipper said. “She’s bought into the program.”

Moran has seen all of that work pay off in competition, so she’s committed to doing all of the necessary work.

“Because (the workouts) are toward the goal, and I just love doing it,” she said.

Moran typically attends her own high school workouts after school and then frequently drives about 15 miles east to Oregon City to train with Skipper and his other athletes.

On Saturday, Moran threw a lifetime-best 164-3 in the hammer for second place behind Canadian junior record holder Camryn Rogers (180-9).

“I really like the hammer, but discus is probably what I’m better at,” Moran said.

With a little more hammer practice, that state record is also in jeopardy. Maddie Rabing, currently an Oregon Duck, set the hammer mark last year with 182-8.