In a remarkable spring that saw Mahoning Valley throwers combine to win five outdoor state titles,

In a remarkable spring that saw Mahoning Valley throwers combine to win five outdoor state titles, only one made the climb to the top of the podium twice — Fitch senior Ali Tolich, who won Division I titles in the shot put and discus.

It capped a terrific four-month stretch in which Tolich also won state indoor titles in the shot put and weight throw.

But while Tolich took home more gold than anyone, she said competing in such a talent-rich area helped her improve each week.

“It’s really nice,” said Tolich, who joined Poland senior Allison Rice (Division II) and McDonald senior Joh’Vonnie Mosley (Division III) in helping the area sweep the girls discus events. “You get to watch everybody else’s technique and that really helps you with your own. You can critique them and help each other.

“It just really helps you learn more about the event.”

Although shot and discus are often lumped together, they require different techniques, she said.

“For discus, you have to be really long and loose,” said Tolich, who credits her throwing coach, T.J. Koniowsky, for her development. “I like it a lot more because the ring’s bigger and I don’t foul.

“For shot put, it’s really more about strength and quickness. It’s fun, too, but I feel more at home in the discus ring.”

Tolich is also a goalie for Fitch’s soccer team in the fall, but knows her college future lies in the throws. She’s garnered a lot of interest from schools across the region but hasn’t decided on a destination or a major.

“It’s a big decision,” she said. “ It’s getting more confusing. It’s just something I really have to sit down and think about this summer and make some decisions soon.”