Friday May 23, Corry sports history was made. Javelin thrower Nolan Carey went into the meet knowing what his results would be, a big win. This was his biggest meet of his career, needing to secure his name as one of the best javelin athletes in the country. He went in knowing where he was ranked and knowing he needed to back that up.

Nolan started throwing in the 8th grade, trying to test out some new events. Having fun, but not doing well, Carey took the event very casually, as a hobby. Going into 9th grade he was still taking it as a hobby saying “I was better at sprinting, but growing in jav.” He also said he “didn’t know he was going to be good,” and thought he was going to be a sprinter for his high school career.

In 10th grade Carey made a huge jump, throwing 159-9 at districts, placing second and setting a 20 ft. best from the year prior. Carey said that this accomplishment is what made him realize he could be very good. Carey took the whole summer to train specifically for javelin and football, which have similar workouts, and focused on getting his body right and “stretching more.” Carey said the help from his coaches such as Ryann Munsee and Rich Gawlinski to get him in shape and ready for the season. He also said that he would lift on his own, practicing 5x a week in the summer. Carey went to states ranked at 14th and placed 14th.

Going into his 12th grade season, Carey was focused on one thing: being the best. The first meet of the season, he threw 200-1.5, realizing he was going to be the best. In his last home meet of the season, Carey threw a personal best of 206-7, saying “it felt no different than any other meet, I just knew there was more to come.” Other accomplishments include the Erie County Classic meet record, 30+ feet victory at districts, and being ranked in the top 10 in the country.

Going into states Carey said he was “pressured to win” and he definitely could feel that. He also said that other than needing to win it was “just like any other meet,” and he knew what his results would be no matter what. This mentality changed when an opponent threw a massive heave of 187 feet, being above Carey to begin, but he pulled through and won the state meet with a giant throw of 189-5, securing his spot as the best javelin thrower in the state.

Being ranked within the top 10 of javelin throwers in the country, Carey said it “doesn’t mean much because I just want to keep getting better.” He also said that he “wants to stay humble, so he can keep improving.”

Carey’s advice to young athletes wanting to get better is to “trust the process and focus on the small things like technique.” Carey’s influence on Pennsylvania athletics will carry on at Nike Outdoor National, where he will compete at one of the highest levels in the country.