Derek Anderson of the men’s track team has been named The Northeastern News Player of the Week after his throwing performance in the Husky-hosted Snowflake Classic in Dedham. The junior won the discus (182 feet, 1 inch), while placing second in the shot put (53 feet, 10.5 inches) and third in the hammer throw (191 feet, 11 inches).
The discus toss bested last week’s throw of 179 feet, 6 inches, which also took first at the Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Fla.
Anderson attibutes some of his recent success to his lifting program partly designed by Joe Donahue and technique work he gets with throwing coach Rich Hart.
“I do a lot of mass building, strength building exercises, then when we get into the season I do plyometric exercises, explosive weight lifting and balance work,” said Anderson.
His exercise regimine has become a mix and match of sorts, with ideas drawn from an assortment of sources.
“I can pick and choose from everybody I’ve been around. I came from a good strength and conditioning in high school (Xaverian Brothers in Westwood, Mass.) and I’ve been fortunate to be around people who know what they are doing,” Anderson said. “I’ve picked up knowledge for myself along the way, so I pick and choose from people’s workouts, and try to find what works best for me.”
As one of the most experienced athletes on a very young team, Anderson has tried to fill the role as a team leader.
“We have a really young team; I think a lot of the athletes are just soaking up the college experience and getting used to Division I competition,” he said. “I try to set the best example I can, and to look out for (the younger teammates), help them if they need help at any point in time. I just try to be there for them, because I can’t really work out with (the non-throwers).
Last year Anderson was named Northeastern’s first IC4A champ since 1989 with a winning shot put toss of 58 feet .05 inches. A year he placed first in discuss and second in shot put at the New England Championships. His best toss this year came at the Great Dane Classic when he heaved the shot 57 feet, 3 inches.
As a senior at Xaverian, Anderson was named most valuable player of the football, indoor and outdoor track teams. He was the top discus thrower in the state in both 2000 and 2001 and was the shot put champion in 2001. In 2000 he was also named a Footlocker All-American. His school records in both shot put (62 feet, 9.25 inches) and discus (186 feet, 3 inches) still stand.
— Peter Conroy, News Staff
