Diamond Jackson leads Sachem East shot putters

Sachem East senior Diamond Jackson had one thing on her mind as she stepped into the shot put circle Saturday -- the No. 37. As in 37 feet. That was her goal, her set mark, the number she thought would ensure victory.

She was right. Jackson's 37-foot, 10-inch toss won the girls track event at the Art Mitchell Classic at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood.

"I just try to start low and [pick] up speed as I gradually go across the circle," she said. "I think of a number and try to hit that. It usually happens."

The path to the throw started with a jump rope. Jackson received the item as a gift last month and has found it very helpful in her pre-event workout.

"It keeps my mind clear," Jackson said.

Since the shot put is very much an exercise in concentration, serenity is important to any routine.

"It's all mental," Jackson said. "If you [think] you can throw far, then you can throw far."

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She not only thinks it, she can do it. Jackson is currently the top-ranked shot putter in Suffolk County and ranks eighth in the state, according to Sachem East coach Joe Coffey.

But Jackson is only part of a dominant contingent of Sachem East throwers. Teammate Brittany Sepe finished second in the same event, throwing 36-10, her best distance of the season. Also a senior, she is ranked second in Suffolk and 18th in the state.

Senior Taylor Kern also placed in the top 10. A 32-2 throw was good enough for eighth place.

Along with Gabrielle Trejo -- who is ranked fourth in the county but missed Saturday's meet due to illness -- the shot put unit feeds off each other, pushing one another to challenge the rest of the field.

"Our practices are great," Sepe said. "We help each other so much. We're all around the same distances. We push each other with distances and words of encouragement."

These days, the field is more interested in challenging them. To do that, opponents are going to have to match the hours of weight room time that the team logs.

"They embrace their strength," Coffey said. "They're not fearful of it and are willing to put forth the correct amount of effort."

Jackson and Sepe don't see the work as a burden, either.

"I'm good at it," Sepe said. "When you find something you actually like, it makes it easier to come in every day."

It makes it even easier when you win.