CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - Three years ago, Skyler Monasch took up the shot put for John Jay. With only his head coach to guide him with the basics, the sophomore's modest personal record of 32 feet reflected his limited knowledge of the event.
"I would just rush to the front of the circle and chuck it however," he remembered.
But when Coach Joe Bachana took over coaching the specialty during Monasch's junior year, the shot putter quickly learned there was much more to the event than brute strength and raw power.
Bachana taught him the glide technique, and after two years of refining it, Monasch's improved form carried him all the way to a second-place finish at the state qualifier.
"It was beautiful," the senior beamed.
Of course, the beginning wasn't nearly as impressive. Since Monasch enjoyed weightlifting, his therapist suggested he try the shot put, and the Wolf joined a group of newcomers to the event.
"I was the best of the bunch," he said.
Although his distances weren't exceptional, the team's atmosphere provided the motivation to keep improving.
Once Bachana arrived, Monasch embraced the coach's two-step approach.
"I feel so much quicker, so much smoother," he said. "It just feels better mechanically. I had a lot of power, but it was more choppy, and I wasn't able to get the power out."
The numbers backed up his claim. During the indoor season of his junior year, he was throwing more than 41 feet, and by the spring he had improved to 44 feet, 5¾ inches.
Still, sectionals proved to be a tall order.
"I was blown out there," he said of his 44-foot best.
The cold-weather season offered little relief.
"My winter season, senior year, was garbage," he lamented.
A number of factors contributed to the setback, beginning with his decision to drop from 260 pounds to 210. Along with losing muscle, he said, "I was used to being this bigger figure and moving in a bigger body."
Monasch also struggled to adjust to the Armory's surface during indoor practices.
"Tiny things throw me off sometimes," he admitted.
Academics also became his top priority.
"I was caught up in school," the senior said. "Shot wasn't 100% of my focus."
Still, he refused to let the disappointing season define him.
"I took that winter season as a learning opportunity, where I said, 'I know I have all the power. Don't let anything affect me,'" Monasch said. "Cut out the noise, and that's what brought me into the spring season."
The ending suggested he had made the most of the adversity.
"This year at the state qualifier, 45 feet, 2 inches was exactly 7¾ inches from qualifying for states," he said after his second-place finish.
The mark ranks fourth in John Jay history, but Monasch said the ups and downs of his journey will stay with him long after high school.
"It's a symbol to focus on what works for you, make it the best you can and learn to be happy with the results when you put in the work," he said.
Bound for the University of Vermont, the incoming freshman doesn't currently have a spot on the track and field team, but he plans to give it the college try as a walk-on.
"I'd really have to step up my game, but I believe I can do it," Monasch concluded.
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