Destiney Coward finding success in weight throw

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Destiney Coward applies the same level of energy and commitment to throwing as she does her science classes.

The senior at Southern Connecticut State is currently the top NCAA Division 2 weight thrower in the country and ranked 12th overall among all female college athletes. She’s also in the midst of her toughest course load as a Chemistry major.

“I definitely say it’s always hectic, but I try to keep a schedule,” Coward said. “And if I follow the schedule, then everything goes to plan. But honestly, I feel that anyone can do it as long as you have the motivation to do it. I’m committed.”

Coming to Southern Connecticut four years ago wasn’t part of the original plan, and neither was throwing.

With just two years of experience at East Haven High – where she went undefeated her senior outdoor season in the shot put – Coward was focused on academics and leaning toward leaving Connecticut. But the school less than 10 miles away provided her a close-knit community with the courses she wanted and an opportunity to keep throwing.

“Training is a lot more serious in college, and I realized that I really enjoy throwing,” Coward said. “Coming here, it’s a lot more rigorous for sure, but I love it. And adopting the weight throw and the hammer is life-changing. I actually didn’t like it (hammer) at first, but my coach believed in me.”

Owls throws coach Bill Sutherland said when he first watched Coward put the shot, he immediately saw a hammer thrower.

Sutherland, in his 27th season coaching at Southern Connecticut, explained the hammer is completely different than other throws as it’s a push event. He said the instinct is to immediately start pulling, so you have to be smart to master that element.

“She’s very smart and more importantly, she’s very clever,” he said. “And those are the two things you need to be to be an elite hammer thrower.”

In her time at Southern Connecticut, Coward has taken to the hammer, earning All-American her sophomore and junior years, and owns a personal best of 205-1 (62.51m). She finished third at the Division 2 Championships in May and ranked No. 32 in the event nationally.

Coward heads into the Northeast-10 Championships this weekend in Northampton, Mass., as the defending shot put and weight champion. She has a personal best of 69-10.25 (21.29m) in the weight throw from Jan. 7 at the Dartmouth Relays, which ranks 19th in the world this year and elevated her to the No. 7 performer in Division 2 history.

Sutherland said Coward’s success is connected to her mindset.

“First off, she has control over her academics,” he said. “She plans ahead.”

This semester, Coward’s schedule is a 14-course load that includes four labs. She plans to graduate this coming fall and then go to medical school for orthopedic surgery. She said the thought of the 2020 Olympics is definitely on her radar and she plans to continue to train and throw.

But for now, Coward is mastering the art of elite throwing and academics -- something she’s become skilled at.

“You have to really enjoy it because it’s going to be a lot of work and training,” she said. “I feel like I can definitely compete with anyone, honestly.”