It’s common to hear students excited for upcoming football games, and talking about trying out for the team, but not enough of that attention goes to the track and field team despite its consistent success producing some of Lincoln High School’s most successful athletes . The throwing team, coached by Mr. Grant has sent numerous students to highly competitive competitions and D1 colleges.
“In the past seven years I have had over 20 students go on to compete in college,” said Grant, who coached D1 collegiate athletes Jillian Leahy, Christian Toro, Maggie Tarmey, Samantha Andrews, Ally Plante, Kyle Moision, and Garret Doyle “11 to Division 1 schools. (Auburn, Ohio State, and URI to add to the list), a handful of D2 schools and D3, which is a large percentage for the few kids that I get each year.”
When high schools send their kids to D1 colleges it boosts the reputation of the school and helps the school gain a good reputation for athletics and inspires students to join the athletic teams.
“The throwing team doesn’t get any recognition to be honest,” said sophomore thrower Avery Aldridge, who is an example of a successful athlete produced from the team.
Aldridge participated in many throwing competitions last year as a first year thrower, placing highly in top competitions such as the Junior Olympics, Freshmen states, and All division.
“I feel like throwing has benefited my mental and physical health since I started last year,” said Aldridge.
More proof of the success of the program is Lincoln Class of 2023 alum, Jillian Leahy who now competes at Brown university. Her time at LHS helped shape the former cheerleader and field hockey player into a D1 throwing champ.
“I owe everything to Grant,” said Leahy, “He is extremely knowledgeable about the technical side of throwing, but also the mental side and both contributed to my highschool success in the sport… having Grant as a Coach and supporting teammates is what I attribute to my success in the throwing too… he was also encouraging our academic pursuits as well…I will forever be in debt to him for all he has helped me accomplish.”
While most sports coaches would be worried about the lack of recognition, Mr. Grant doesn’t seem to mind the lack of exposure, saying proudly, “the results are all the recognition I need.”
Although the lack of recognition is not a problem for Mr. Grant, sports that get more recognition take the focus of many athletes and make them push aside throwing to focus on other sports, making it more of a secondary sport.
“The hardest part is getting kids to come out for the team,” said Grant. “So many are focused on other sports from a young age… Some of the most successful athletes that I have had all played a variety of sports growing up and played different sports in high school.”
Students gain many benefits from participating in the sport. They get chances to study at D1 colleges in the future from scholarships, maintain a healthy school-sport balance, and create close relationships within the team.
The throwing team has produced so many successful athletes and they have all come from the coaching of Mr. Grant, how did he coach all of his athletes to success.
“No big secrets, just students willing to put in quality work,” said Grant. The little tips and tricks I do have, will stay secrets.”
The whole athletic department has benefited from the throwing team’s success and thanks to Grant’s successful coaching.
“Brian Grant has truly put Lincoln High School on the map in terms of our throwing program,” said athletic director Greg O’connor, “He has established himself as one of the premiere throws coaches in the area and one of the premiere programs in New England.”
