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KENT - Matt Pfleger came into Kent State University with every intention of being a shotputter and discus thrower.

The Garfield High School graduate and Kent State sophomore found his prowess was in the hammer throw - an event where a metal ball is attached to a wire and a handle is used. The athlete takes one to four turns in the throwing circle to launch the object.

"Instead of doing a spin technique, I do four turns for the hammer," Pfleger said. "The strength levels are the same, less upper body than the shot put and more lower body and core for the hammer. But, the technique is way different."

Pfleger surprised the KSU coaching staff by excelling in this event.

"We brought him in thinking we wanted a shot put and discus thrower," Kent State throws coach Nathan Fanger said. "I think the hardest part was strength gains. If you're unable to gain strength in the upper body, it becomes almost impossible to throw the shot put very well.

"Most of the athletes coming in try the hammer or javelin. He was good in the shot and disc (in high school), but he's found his forte in the hammer and that's exactly where we've put all of his energy."

Pfleger was second in the All-Ohio Championships last weekend in Oxford, Ohio with a throw of 199 feet, 11 inches and won the hammer throw at a meet held at the University of Akron with KSU, Ashland, Buffalo and Youngstown State. There, he popped off a throw of 202-5.

"I think there's a lot left in the tank and it was pretty cold that day. We'll see what happens later on," Pfleger said of the Akron meet.

Fanger said Pfleger is the right kind of athlete to do the hammer throw.

"One, you're looking for somebody who's athletic - who's got the athletic ability to move well," Fanger said. "In the world of throws, there's very similar biomechanics from one event to the other - keeping the implement behind you when you're moving it through. It's a way different world than driving a shot put or discus. It's something you learn from your years in college.

"He's been able to pick it up very well and do very well with it."

Pfleger looks forward to the next two years at KSU - using the same work ethic he had at Garfield.

"I still have that," he said. "I'm learning a lot from coach Fanger. The technique has been coming along even though my shot and discus isn't that great. I've learned a lot about the technique, which will hopefully be better in the next two years."

Hopefully, that improvement equates to further throws. Pfleger could set the school record before he's done. Al Schoterman set the mark in 1972 (231-3).

"I think he'll end the season around 215 (feet), possibly 220 if we get on the ball," Fanger said. "He's got two more years, so hopefully he'll set a school record."

jvargo@tribtoday.com