Paramus Junior Breaks School Discus Record

It's been Jess Reuveni's goal to break the discus throwing record at Paramus High School.

The junior said she's been frustrated being on the cusp of the record with some extremely close throws.

Breaking the record—105'8" set by Meghan Judge in 1999—has been on Reuveni's mind all season, but the junior said that entering the team's meet versus Teaneck, the thought was put on the back burner.

And in the Spartans' final home meet of the season, Reuveni accomplished her goal by throwing the discus for 110'3".

"Jess is a bit of a natural," throwing coach Dan Sabella said. "She’s been pretty good since she came here as a freshman."

"She’s a hard worker," said boys' spring track head coach Kevin Graves, who worked with Reuveni before taking over the boys' team. "She’s fast, she’s powerful, she’s determined, she’s got all the tools."

Reuveni enters the throwing circle and makes two quarter spins before stopping in her punch position. It's from that position that she throws the discus.

"[Mastering the discus throw] takes a lot of repetition and body control," head coach Jeff Schorling said.

"You build up as much speed in the circle as you can (540 degree rotation), torque your lower body going forward then whip your arm and release," Graves said.

The non-throwing arm—called the blocking arm—stops the rotation, and the discus is released at a 35-40 degree angle, and should come off your index finger.

When asked how long it took to get down the routine, Reuveni said with a laugh, "three years."

Her freshman year was about trial and error. "I was terrible," she joked.

"Our coaches are great and they really care about us," Reuveni said. "Coach Graves and coach Sabella made sure to help me fix my mistakes."

Sophomore year was more about perfecting everything and getting better, Reuveni said.

"She showed consistent improvement last year," Sabella noted.

"Her main problem last year," Graves said, "She was trying to overpower and she would lose balance. As a result, the discus would come out and it would sweep down and it wasn’t as aerodynamic as it could have been."

This season, she is worrying about the mental aspects: preparation and being focused.

"She’s really coming along with the discus," Schorling said. "It’s been nice to see, because she definitely works hard. She takes a lot of pride in her work."

Her form has improved as well.

"She's really focused on staying balanced and popping up," Graves said. "The discus has been coming off really nice and flat and taking off."

For Reuveni, breaking the discus record is just the start. She wants to qualify for the Penn Relays next year. To do that, she has to throw 115', and her coaches see her getting closer to attaining that mark.

The junior also has her eyes set on the shot put record as well (35’6” set by Kristen Malacrida in 2001).

Graves noted that Reuveni was just a half-inch shy of the record last season.

"She came close again this season in a meet against Teaneck," he added. "It’s just a matter of time. She’s ready to break through."