GIRLS FIELD ALI TOLICH AUSTINTOWN
Fitch High track and field athlete Ali Tolich saved her best for last.
During the state track meet, Tolich made the final throw of the discus count the most in her high school career.
“In the first three throws I had, they weren’t very good, I wasn’t on rhythm,” said Tolich who for the third straight year is The Vindicator’s female field athlete of the year. “Moving into the finals, I knew I had to amp it up, I had to just perform better.
“So in the finals I started off throwing 145 [feet on her first two tosses],” Tolich said. “And my final throw was my last discus throw as a high school student and I wanted to go out with a bang. So I cleared my mind and jumped into the ring, and it all just seemed to click.”
With a toss of 157-2, Tolich won the Division I discus competition for the second straight year. It was her second-best throw of her career.
After receiving her medal, she then was awarded her high school diploma.
Asked about missing graduation ceremonies, Tolich said she didn’t mind.
“I was at the state meet doing what I loved,” Tolich said. “And from what I hear, the graduation ceremony was very hot and steamy so I didn’t mind not being in that room.”
Tolich was a seventh- grader when she first started to throw the discus.
“I started off being a runner in the 200, 100 and 4x200,” said Tolich, who explained that her father suggested she try the discus.
“I did and it just really worked out,” Tolich said. “I fell in love with it.”
“Forced” to throw the shot put as well, Tolich said she eventually reached a point where she enjoyed that as well. She stopped running after eighth grade to focus on throwing.
She’s chosen Ashland University to continue her career.
“It’s small and I like that,” Tolich said. “Coach [Jud] Logan is world-renowned, he’s been to the Olympics four times. They’ve had countless people come out of that program and go to the Olympic Trials. That’s definitely a goal I have.”