Track

Loughney signs to compete at Ashland University

Hammer thrower wins Thrower’s Pentathlon and gets four-time Olympian as coach

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — Hard work does pay off.

Sitting in the Tri-Valley library on May 17 with his mom, Colleen, senior Ryan Loughney signed a National Letter of Intent to compete at Division II Ashland University in Ashland, OH this fall.

Loughney, who just threw a lifetime best 215-4 and set a new Section 9 record at the OCIAA Hammer Throw Championships, also took first in the Throwers Pentathlon, where peak performances in the 35 hammer, the discus, the shot put and the javelin netted him a record-setting 3,622 points. Loughney is an elite athlete imbued with an uncanny passion for his sport and a work ethic that propels him to travel to Monroe-Woodbury on Sundays to spend three to four hours throwing with his Section Nine cohorts.

Loughney’s astonishing performance in the Throwers Pentathlon is the best in the 30-year history of the league. He was heavily recruited by 45 schools, including the University of Connecticut, Louisville, Rutgers and the service academies. But having the opportunity to be coached by four-time Olympian Jud Logan at Ashland was something Loughney couldn’t pass up.

Tri-Valley coach Joe Iatauro said, “It’s rare to have a coach who excelled in the same discipline.”

Iatauro arranged that the signing ceremony be held in the presence of Loughney’s teammates. Bearing witness was an affirmation of their respect and affection for the school’s most prominent athlete. It also served as motivation as to what can be attained with perseverance, drive and passion.

Loughney, who first showed interest in fifth or sixth grade, was strongly influenced by former Tri-Valley standout runners Chip Furman, Christian Agnew, and Joe and Heather Iatauro.

Loughney acknowledged their level of success. He said that by ninth grade he had begun to tinker with the hammer. The past two years, he has worked tirelessly and has risen to national prominence. Loughney has also met the state standard in the discus by more than eight feet. His shot-put throws, while not on the same level, are often good enough to help Tri-Valley acquire much-needed points in track meets. Loughney is a great role model for fellow thrower Garrett Grey, whose star is also on the rise.

Asked why he chose to attend Ashland University, the engaging Loughney replied, “I would have to say it’s because of coach Logan and how the program at the school is producing All-Americans.”

Logan, who was the U.S. Olympic Trials Champion in 1992, was third in the Olympic Trials in 2000. That followed a career that saw him crowned as U.S. Outdoor Champion in the hammer in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1991.

Ashland is providing a substantial athletic scholarship to Loughney, who just climbed to fifth in the national high school hammer rankings with his mark of 215-4.

Topping that list is senior Walter Henning of St. Anthony’s in South Huntington, NY with an uncanny mark of 255-11. Second is Conor McCullough of Chaminade from West Hills, CA. He has thrown 231-09. Third is Jordan Stray of Centralia, WA, whose record is 228-02. Fourth is Zach Richards of Monroe, WA with a heave of 221-03.

Anyone who knows Loughney understands his drive and competitive fire. Loughney has a lot more in him and with Logan as his coach, a very successful college career, NCAA championship contention and Olympic trials are in the offing.

Colleen is amazingly supportive. Always there at his meets, she intends to travel to Ohio to watch her son continue his extraordinary exploits. “I’m very excited for him,” she said. “He’s worked very hard and it’s finally panning out for him after all the work he put in.”

The hammer is not a state meet event, so Loughney’s widening array of trophies and medals will be missing one from the states. That won’t stop him from giving his all in the events in the upcoming league and sectional meets.

The signing with Ashland is a step in an athletic career that is inspiring and deserving of great admiration.

The best is yet to come.