Shippee saved best for last in NBNI weight throw

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

Shenendehowa NY senior Jill Shippee thought about adding “ping pong club equipment manager” to her college applications.

“Our closet for track (equipment) is shared with the ping pong club, and we always have to move their stuff to get to ours,” Shippee said with a laugh.

Something a bit more impressive for her high school resume landed two weeks ago at New Balance Nationals Indoor, when she launched the No. 2 all-time mark in the weight throw (65 feet, 6 inches.)

It was a personal best by five feet.

Shippee entered the March 12 final seeded second and went in with the mentality of seizing whatever the moment presented.

“I just kind of came in (thinking) if something good happens, that I could walk away. If something doesn't, it’s alright,” she said. “I was pretty optimistic, feeling good. I had a good night’s sleep. I was ready to go.”

The big throw came on her final attempt and was a welcome surprise. It was less than three feet from Shelby Ashe’s 2011 national record of 68-2.50.

“I knew 62-63 (feet) was in reason, just with the way my practices were going,” Shippee said. “I didn’t know 65 was possible. It felt great. Last year my PR was 60 and I just wanted to get over that again, but especially to happen in my last indoor meet of my high school career, it felt really good.”

Shippee, who started throwing in the eighth grade, didn’t have the easiest road this winter. She lost some meets she maybe should have won, and the distances weren’t quite where she wanted them.

Her best throw of the season prior to nationals was 60-7.

“It was a pretty slow start,” Shippee said. “We have a large (throwing) team, probably about 60 total guys and girls. And once their season starts to end, mine gets started.”

Shippee’s resume away from the throwing circle also packs a punch.

She’s the senior class president, a member of Model United Nations and captain of both the varsity soccer and track and field teams. On top of that, she has a challenging course load as she prepares to go to North Carolina in the fall.

“She’s always excited, always ready to go,” Shenendehowa throws coach Scott Dochat said. “She’s got that kind of drive and that kind of energy.”

Dochat said that while Shippee had to share her throwing time early on, and individual attention wasn’t always available, it worked out in the long run. It also allowed Shippee some time to help teach younger throwers, the same way she was aided when she was getting started.

Shippee’s indoor season ramped up steadily.

After placing second at the Armory Track Invitational (54-4) on Feb. 4, a small step backwards, she surpassed 60 feet at the NY Section 2 State Qualifier (60-7) and at the NYSPHSAA Championships (60-2.50).

Her performance at New Balance Nationals Indoor is a momentum builder for the outdoor season, with Shippee competing in the discus, shot put and hammer throw. She is the reigning New Balance Nationals Outdoor champion in the hammer with a mark of 181-2 in June.

“I think (the indoor title) just gives her some confidence,” Dochat said.

Dochat said he doesn’t like to put a particular number out there, and the focus this season for Shippee is the develop consistency.

But the idea of reaching the 200-foot mark in the hammer is something she’s thought about. After all, it’s her favorite event.

“It’s kind of therapeutic, the way the turns (feel),” Shippee said.

She plans to open her outdoor season April 21 at the New York Relays. And while it will be a busy spring, she plans to enjoy whatever the season presents.

“I think this year I have a little bit left in the tank,” Shippee said. “I definitely want to make a run in outdoor, but there are a lot of good girls. It will be a really good outdoor hammer competition.”