Avon Lake thrower Harper aims for state meet

To call Avon Lake senior Victoria Harper talented would be an understatement.

Harper is on her school’s chorale, which consists of roughly 98 members, and she’s traveled to cities like Inside: The Shoregals track and field team is experiencing a youth movement. Fuad Shalhout’s notes, plus stats leaders.

Toronto and New York to perform. She also has been an athletic trainer for the football team the past four years. But believe it or not, those aren’t her top talents. Harper’s biggest impact is in field events, as she has become arguably the top girls thrower in The Morning Journal area.

“My personal goals are to throw 42 feet in the shot put and 130 in discus,” Harper said.

After making it to the regionals last season in the shot put and to state in the discus, Harper hoped to enter this

season knowing what to expect. Naturally, a trip to Columbus breeds confidence in an athlete heading into the following season. But that didn’t necessarily happen for Harper.

At the beginning of the year, she said she was a little shaky and her technique was off. But day in and day out, she has practiced a routine to better herself.

At the Lorain County Invitational on April 13, Harper announced to the area she was back to her old self, winning both the shot put (38-10) and discus (116-3).

She then followed that with another strong performance at the Comet Relays on April 22, finishing second in the shot (40-5.75) and fourth in the discus (118-9) against deep competition.

Harper’s experience in the state meet last year was an eye-opener.

“It’s very different,” she said. “And it’s very stressful, but it’s a good experience. And just to see how far everyone was throwing, it was incredible to watch.”

Her coach, Jeff Arra, said Harper initially didn’t know what would be her strongest event.

“It wasn’t until she finished strong in the discus last season that she figured it out.

“For her getting that experience under her belt was great,” Arra said. “Getting in the ring in Columbus and feeling that pressure was important. That has paid off.”

When Harper was in the seventh grade, her teacher was the throwing coach. She had a love for basketball, which she played until her freshman year.

The track and field team needed more athletes. Harper tried it at practice one day and hasn’t looked back since.

Beyond her performances, Harper has taken on a leadership role. Her infectious personality and sense of humor make it easy for teammates to get along with her.

“She’s embraced the leadership role over the past couple years,” Arra said. “She has been a positive influence on the girls. But at the same time, she definitely has fun doing this sport.”

She has a younger sister, Alexandra, who throws as well.

“I love it,” Harper said. “She’s worked just as hard as I have.

Her discus has improved immensely and I’m excited for her, especially next year where she can shine as a senior.”

In hopes of seeing her sister flourish down the line, and as someone who has perfected her craft, Harper’s best piece of advice for Alexandra is simple.

“I just tell her to be confident,” Harper said. “If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask because before she was a little nervous and didn’t know the coach well. She just needs to relax and let it fly.”

In a season she hopes ends in Columbus in both the shot and disc, Harper’s education is at the forefront as well.

Her favorite subject right now is science and she is committed to Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa., and plans to continue her track and field career. She will major in exercise physiology.

“I’ve always wanted to go to a medical-based school,” she said. “And they sent me a letter saying they were interested in me. I just fell in love with it.”

Harper