Nipmuc freshman qualified in two events in first season

By Chris Villani

Cam Getman remembers watching the Summer Olympic track and field competition a few years ago and seeing the hammer throw for the first time. Her father suggested that an event like that is one in which she might excel.

“I said ‘Oh, that’s kind of interesting,” Getman recalled.

Fast forward four years, and the 15-year-old Nipmuc freshman is among the best in the weight throw, an event similar to the hammer, in Massachusetts. Getman placed 7th in the recent MIAA Meet of Champions in the event and also qualified in the shot put.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” Getman said of the way she finished the season. “I was very happy for the opportunity, but it wasn’t a goal of mine, specifically for the weight throw because I just wanted to try the new event. I have been doing the shot for a couple of years, but I didn’t think I would get that far.”

Getman said it was fun to get to the last meet of the season and, as the only freshman competing, she said she was greeted by a number of very nice and supportive people.

“It was very fun to be on that stage a little bit early in my career,” she said. “It was definitely nerve-wracking, but I got to watch the best throw and it was a little eye-opening about how far I could go if my strength and technique keep improving. It was a very nice window into what I could possibly look like in the future.”

Getman has yet to compete in her favorite event, the discus, since that only takes place during the spring track and field season. While gaining experience as a member of the middle school track and field program, Getman set an impressive personal best of nearly 98 feet in the disc, a mark she will look to better this spring. This winter, she topped out at around 34 feet in the shot put. In the weight throw, which consists of hurling a 20 pound ball at the end of a short chain, Getman reached 34 feet, five inches in an event she had never before tried.

“The hammer is very controlled and footwork-oriented,” Getman said. “I think it’s a lot more technical than the shot or the discus.”

Getman said the focus this spring will be on getting stronger and sharpening her technique across all events. She said Nipmuc throwing coach Brian Consigli told her that beating 50 feet in the shot and 60 feet in the weight throw by the time she is a senior are goals that are within reach. Getman says she would love to compete in college, but said she would do track and field as a hobby either way.

She said, “It’s good for strength building and flexibility and a great way to stay in shape.”