Pierce welcomes Olympians, athletes for throwing camp
PIERCE, Neb. -- The Northeast Nebraska Elite Throwers Shot and Discus Camp made its triumphant return to Pierce on Tuesday.
While track and field may be done for this year, the sport already made its return to northeast Nebraska.
The bleachers at Pierce's track were filled with athletes of all ages, some beginning their careers, others looking to take the next step towards college.
The camp is held yearly at Pierce with the goal to help train future athletes toward success as throwers.
Tuesday's one-day camp, featured two Olympians, husker alumni, and coaches from around the region. They took camp participants through a variety of drills, technique work, and of course, practiced throwing.
"We're here to help the kids today," said Payton Otterdahl, Olympic shot putter. "We want them to become better throwers and versions of themselves. It's fun coming out here because this is always a very big camp and the kids are excited."
Be it discuss, javelin, or shot put, the camp participants broke off into their sections of the camp. There they got the advice and coaching of their elders.
Two-time Big Ten Champion Burger Lambrechts Jr. said it was his first time at Pierce's camp. He said young athletes should remember people, like himself, started where they are now, and should continue to work towards their goals.
"All these high-level athletes that are coaching here are just people," Lambrechts said. "We all came from the bottom and learned just like their learning now. Whatever goal they have is usually possible."
Besides the physical side of the game, those running the camp were available for the mental side of the sport. Otterdahl said the mental side of the sport was on par with any physical training.
"We have so much experience going into this, obviously athletically, but also the mental side of competing is almost as important as the physical," Otterdahl said. "We're people that have our heads on tight, so they can ask us any life questions."
The camp ran from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, with a $60 admission fee.