Rachel Fatherly is a soft-spoken senior from Williamsport Area High School, but when it comes to the shot put and discus events, she needs no voice. Her talent speaks volumes all on its own!
Williamsport Head Coach Jeff Strohl said, "Last year at the state meet she threw 43 feet 2 inches. And we're now up to 47 feet 11 inches so she's made really great progress this year. About 5 feet over her best throw last year. "
In order to keep on pace of putting up outstanding numbers, Coach Strohl helps Rachel work on her technique. They focus on speed and strength to keep those numbers high. Currently ranked 8th in the nation, Rachel has been a quiet force as she's moved her way up the list of the nation's elite throwers. Setting records and sweeping meets is becoming common in her journey to the top.
"It's a lot of fun to be ranked that way. She's really handling it real, real well and she knows that she has a couple more feet in her till the end of the year. We still have a few more weeks till the state meet and we'd like to be ranked top 4, top 5," continued Strohl.
At this particular meet, Rachel broke event and stadium records, throwing 46 feet 5 inches! She'll set her sights on new achievements at Penn State.
Rachel said, "Once I focus, it helps me. I don't know I just want to set new goals and ever since I set the school record, its made me realize the sky's the limit I guess."