Sophomore Ian Thomas is a javelin thrower on the Men’s Track and Field team and defensive lineman for the Men’s Football team at Lawrence University. For as long as he can remember, he has been a football player. Lawrence provided an opportunity to be more competitive while continuing with vigorous academics. His javelin-throwing journey came later, as he didn’t start competing until high school. However, he eagerly picked up the skill and carried it to the collegiate level.
“I quickly became passionate about the sport and worked hard to develop my skills,” said Thomas.
Thomas is currently in the middle of his track and field season. He recently broke his own record when he hit 57.53 meters at the Wisconsin Private College Championships.
“It was a big milestone for me, and it felt great to see all the hard work and training pay off in such a tangible way,” Thomas said.
His recent success has motivated Thomas to continue improving.
“I’m really looking forward to continuing to work hard and improve as a javelin thrower,” Thomas declared. “I want to keep setting new personal records and challenging myself to reach new heights. Ultimately, I hope to qualify for nationals and compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics.”
The path of a dual-sport athlete is not for the faint of heart; Thomas found that the balance between academic and athletic responsibility was one of the more difficult aspects of being a college athlete. It took time to find a routine that worked to effectively manage time to find success on and off the field. Thomas credited his success to staying focused on his goals, recommending this technique for anyone else looking to be involved in college athletics.
“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication,” Thomas shared. “You have to be willing to put in the time and effort to succeed both on and off the field, but at the same time, it’s incredibly rewarding to see all that hard work pay off and to be part of a team that’s striving for a common goal.”