Former Esko High School track and football standout Chris Hudspith has been named captain of the University of Minnesota Track Team. A walk-on with the Gophers, Hudspith was selected by his teammates in a vote this spring.
"At the beginning of the year the team voted for team captains," recalled Hudspith. "I think I was voted more for my leadership skills and work ethic than for my success."
Hudspith won the state title in shot put as a senior, was sixth in the discus that same year and he also placed high in both the discus and shot as a junior. He also holds the school record in the shot put with a throw of 55' 8-3/4" and is second behind his father, Bill, for the school record in the disc.
After graduating from high school, Hudspith went to UMD for his general education courses and so his dad, UMD's track coach at the time, could teach him to throw the hammer which is not thrown in high school track. Hudspith finished third in the conference in the hammer throw his freshman season.
Hudspith walked on to the U of M where, despite being undersized in the weights, he made the teams cuts and was a full fledged Gopher.
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During Hudspith's junior year he continued to learn the craft of throwing the hammer while continuing to build strength and bulk. At 5'11" and 225 pounds, Hudspith is considered small compared to the 6'6" 300-pound behemoths who are the norm in college weight throws.
"Last summer I lifted five days a week for two one-hour sessions per day and then did sprint drills at night when it wasn't so hot," commented Hudspith. "I threw the weight 56 feet this year indoors, which is four feet farther than last year."
During spring break training and the team's trip to Georgia this year, Hudspith won the meet with a throw of 175' which is 17 feet farther than he threw at this point last season.
The hammer is a 16-pound ball on a one-meter cable, while the indoor weight is a 35-pound ball with a handle on it.
"Despite my size, I've been successful because I have quick feet," mentioned Hudspith. "A lot of bigger guys have a hard time balancing with a hammer. It's more of a technique event than the weight."
Most throwers in the Big 10 do two or three revolutions in the circle while throwing, but Hudspith does four spins and he has been successful with that technique.
"Track at the U has been a great experience for me," said Hudspith. "I have traveled all over the country and competed against many Olympians. I have also made many connections through the university and athletics."
Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com .
