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Tyson Sweetser would like to dispel some myths about the discus.

First, it is not easy. Second, it takes more than muscle mass to excel at it. And third, if a person wants to throw the discus to avoid running, it won't work, at least not with Hayden coach Kevin Kleckler, who stuck Sweet--ser in the 1,600-meter relay this season.

As soon as Sweeter and Keenan Bruchez grasped these concepts, they began to improve. This year, the two have had breakout seasons, qualifying for the Class 2A state track and field meet with discus throws of more than 130 feet.

Bruchez qualified April 30 in Craig with a throw of 133-9. Sweetser broke the school record with a throw of 139-11 1/2 on the same day. The state qualifying standard was 132 feet.

As juniors, Sweetser and Bruchez quickly have become two of the best throwers in school history.

"They are still kids," discus coach Leif Jacobsen said. "They are done growing up and now will start filling out. This season and the next, they will have monster throws."

For those who have seen Bruchez and Sweetser up close, nothing about either screams monster thrower. For example, Bruchez also holds the school record in the 110-meter hurdles. Neither he nor Sweetser weighs more than 200 pounds.

Both are strong, but they are long and lean. Although their build isn't ideal for shot put throwers, it is a discus coach's dream.

"In shot put, muscle helps," Sweetser said. "A kid built like me, with some muscle but longer arms, gets more whip."

The whip is the release, and it is "probably the most important part of throwing the discus," Jacobsen said.

"I work with them so much on it," he added. "It almost has to be perfect before we go on to something else. For the most part, discus is all technique. Shot put is more muscle, more explosive power."

It was the explosive power that enabled Alan Stark to set the Hayden discus record several years ago. He was a 215-pound wrestler with upper- and lower-body power. His top throw was 137-3 1/2.

Now, the record belongs to Sweetser. And Bruchez isn't far behind.

"Keenan and Sweetser have the technique and leverage (Stark) didn't," Jacobsen said. "(Stark) had the muscle, but Sweeter has broken the school record three times already. That's from technique."

This season might be the first in which Sweetser and Bruchez have begun to understand that. In previous seasons, they watched throwers win meets on strength with little regard for technique. It was hard to convince the underclassmen to be patient and listen to the coaching staff.

Now, they are seeing the rewards.

"I've been able to get them to look at small details," Jacobsen said. "I'm trying to back off now and let them do what they are doing, but you will never stop tinkering."

The pair also competes in shot put and fares well, but neither is close to the school record of 46-11 held by Cody Sweetser, Tyson's father.

With a trip to the state meet locked up in discus, Sweetser has set lofty goals for the final two weeks of the season.

"I just want to go to state in shot," he said. "In the discus, I'd like to take regionals and at least place at state, if not finish in the top three."

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com