BOYS TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR After state performance, Panezich dreaming big

He won the shot put and discus titles at this year's state meet.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Nick Panezich was a fifth grader at Austintown's Frank Ohl Middle School when he came face-to-face with his future.
He just didn't know it yet.
"They had a track meet for fifth and sixth graders -- it was just a one-day thing -- and I went out and threw the shot put," he said. "I don't remember the distance, but I broke the school record in the event. Then I picked up the discus and did the same thing."
He was interested, but he didn't start throwing again until two years later when he was a seventh grader at Springfield.
"I just thought I'd give it a try," said Panezich, who will be a senior at Springfield in the fall. "It's taken me a long way."
And it's about to take him even farther.
Dedicated to the sport
Panezich, the Vindicator boys track athlete of the year, has spent the last three years dedicating himself to the sport.
He's now reaping the benefits.
Panezich won Division III titles in the shot put and the discus at this year's state meet to cap an outstanding junior season where he broke records at nearly every big meet, earning five MVP awards.
"A bunch of teachers came down to watch the state meet and I wanted to put on a pretty good show for them," he said. "I couldn't have asked for a better day. I won two state titles. I came close to my personal best. By that evening, it still hadn't really sunk in."
Panezich had planned to stay overnight in Columbus after competing, but decided to drive back home so he could be at church on Sunday morning.
"I just felt like I needed to be there," he said. "I wanted to thank God for everything he's given me.
"It took a few days for everything to sink in. When I actually thought about it, I realized it wasn't just a normal meet. It was on a much bigger scale."
Set for national meets
Panezich took close to two weeks off following the state meet and began throwing again in late June. He'll compete in two national meets in late July -- one in Eugene, Ore. and one in Iowa City, Iowa -- and spend the rest of the time practicing.
"It feels so good to get out there and throw," he said. "It's something I love to do. And this town and this community is so supportive of its athletes. When one of its athletes succeed, they can't be more proud of you. It's a great athletic community with a lot of good people and a lot of supportive people."
Begins weight program
Panezich has always taken the sport seriously, but he's going to train even more this year. He'll probably skip basketball this winter so he can throw during indoor track and he's starting a weight program for the first time.
Why has it taken him so long to start lifting?
"Because I'm lazy, pretty much," he said with a laugh. "I never got past the soreness of the first few days. But I'm going to stick with it this time."
The extra strength should help him as he points toward bigger things. He wants to break the all-time state record in the discus at next year's state meet -- Akron Ellet's Charles Moye, Jr. holds the record with a throw of 204-5 -- and possibly the shot.
Then he'll move on to college. Panezich wants to go somewhere "south or west" and is looking at Tennessee, Louisiana State and Georgia Tech. His dream, however, would be to throw at UCLA.
"Hopefully, they'll take a look at me," he said. "That would be amazing."
scalzo@vindy.com