McDonald’s Mosley wins discus, shot

June 7, 2014 at 12:10a.m.

COLUMBUS

Division II State Track Meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium

Her little sister Jai’Lyn had just wrapped up the greatest day of her high school career and Joh’Vonnie Mosley — who had spent the last few hours offering tips and encouragement and, yes, a target — wanted a hug.

But as she stepped over the rope outside the shot put area at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, McDonald coach Mary Domitrovich yelled out, “MOSLEY!”

“I can’t go over there?” Joh’Vonnie asked.

Domitrovich grinned. “No, I’m just teasing.”

Jai’Lyn had just done something Joh’Vonnie never did, winning Division III state titles in both the shot and the discus, but even in that moment, she couldn’t help thinking about what she didn’t do. Because, you see, Joh’Vonnie’s school shot put record is 43 feet and a half-inch. Jai’Lyn’s winning throw on Friday was 42-113/4.

“Later on, when you talk to your mother, you can go like this,” said Domitrovich, who held up her thumb and index finger less than two inches apart.

Earlier, Jai’Lyn had matched her own school discus record with a 157-5 — she broke Joh’Vonnie’s school record earlier in the year — and her two wins on Friday bested Joh’Vonnie’s 2010 state meet, when she won the discus and finished second in the shot put.

But still. Two inches. Two tiny little inches.

“I left her one [record],” Jai’Lyn said, grinning. “Just one.”

Jai’Lyn was competing in her fourth straight state meet, but until Friday, she had never quite put everything together in Columbus, whether it was because she was too young (2011, when she placed ninth in the discus), battling an arm injury (2012, when she finished second in the discus and 14th in the shot), battling shoe problems (2013, when she was fourth in the discus) or something else she still might not want to admit.

“I think the nerves got to her for a few years,” said her mother, Veronica Mosley. “I think this year she was more confident.”

That confidence showed on her first attempt of the day. Trinity sophomore Daija Young popped a 149-1 on her first throw — which would have won last year’s Division III discus title by nearly five feet and would have won Friday’s Division II discus title by more than 10 feet — and Jai’Lyn thought to herself, “OK, pressure’s on.”

Just like that, it was off. Jai’Lyn uncorked a 154-footer that left the crowd gasping and essentially ended any suspense. After she topped it on her last throw, Jai’Lyn walked over to Domitrovich, who gave her a hug and immediately said, “Got to get it together. One more [event] to go.”

Turns out, Jai’Lyn also won the shot on her first throw (42-3) and put the meet away on her fifth throw (42-113/4), beating Ann senior Megan Fogt by 101/4 inches.

“All day, she said she was ready for the challenge,” Domitrovich said, “and she rose to it.”

Outside of a few smiles (and hugs), Jai’Lyn didn’t react much to either victory. While some girls grunt and scream, she stays smooth and stoic during competitions.

“I keep my happiness inside,” she said, cracking up at the question. “I’ll probably let it all out in the hotel room.”

Like Joh’Vonnie, Jai’Lyn will throw at Kent State, but she admitted it was “bittersweet” to know her high school career was over. Her father, Dennis, felt the same way.

“You look forward to them weekly track meets and now it’s over,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to seeing her compete at the next level.”

Dennis was a standout sprinter at Rayen — he’s old enough to have competed in the 220- and 440-yard dashes, events they now measure in meters — but Veronica’s high school, South, didn’t have a track team, “so who knows what I would have been able to do, right?”

“Her dad was an athlete, but we all know where it [Jai’Lyn’s talent] comes from,” she said. “It’s all from God. She gets her academics from her mom. They were both honor students and I was an honor student myself.”

OK, so if the athletics come from the Father, and the smarts come from the mother, where do their good looks come from?

“From me,” Dennis said.

“It’s a mixture!” Veronica shouted.

Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Jai’Lyn gets her inspiration from her sister (she used to watch her compete in Columbus), her technique from Domitrovich (who also coached Joh’Vonnie, as well as two-time state champion Matthias Tayala) and her poise from her faith. After all, in throwing, it’s always good to have some (higher) power.

“I tell her to say a little prayer before each meet and let God take control,” Veronica said. “Today, I think that’s what she did.”