Team USA will include two R.I. weight-throwers at Worlds

Eighty-nine athletes will represent Team USA at the IAAF World Junior Championships this week (July 22-27) at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. Eighty-nine of some of our best teenagers (age 19 and under) from coast to coast that will be matching their talents against some of the finest across the globe.

The Ocean State has two of its athletes in Eugene, former Barrington High all-stater Charlie Ionata and Central grad Clarence Gallop. Both earned their spots by placing 1-2 in the hammer throw at the USATF Junior National Championships on July 5.

Ionata, who just completed his freshman season at Wake Forest University, won the title with a heave of 67.70 meters (222.12 feet). Gallop took runner-up honors at 67.66m (221.98).

“Going in, I was seeded pretty high so I thought I could win it,” Ionata said last week at the annual Hammerama. “The first throw I hit the standard and it was a big relief there. I was able to relax the rest of the meet and push a little more. I didn’t throw great the rest of the throws but all that matters was making the team.”

“The first throw was 67.70, which is 20 centimeters over the standards,” he continued. “That was all I was really shooting for. It was great.”

Ionata, a multiple all-stater for the Eagles, had a successful first season for Wake Forest where he was ranked among the best college freshmen nationwide.

“I love Wake. I had a great time. I did well academically, had a lot of fun on the team and made a bunch of new friends. I really enjoyed it. My best throw was 61.16 meters (202.29 with the 16-pound hammer). It was like the first meet of the year. I was happy with that,” he said. “I didn’t end the season the way I wanted to, but couldn’t complain. I was one of the top freshmen.  It was definitely a lot different with a strenuous weight-lifting program and having to do a lot of school work. It was a tough adjustment, but I thought I did pretty well and ended up throwing pretty well. The transition to the 16 pound was kind of difficult, getting stronger with lifting made it all work in the end.”

What’s Ionata’s goal at the Worlds?

“It would be great if I could make finals,” he said. “I know there is some pretty tough competition. I would have to do mid-to-low 70s to make the finals. That’s what I am shooting for – 72 to 73 meters. Practice has been going well so hopefully I can hit that and make it to the finals.”