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Coward Crowned an NCAA Champion in the Weight Throw

In 2014, Destiney Coward graduated from East Haven High School as one of the most decorated track and field athletes in Yellowjackets’ history. Coward claimed first place in the shot put at the West Sectional, SCC, Class M, and State Open championships for the indoor and outdoor seasons as a senior and completed her high-school career having set the school record in both the shot put and the discus.

Following high school, Destiney decided to take her talents to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and she’s continued to excel at the collegiate level. Destiney, a senior, was recently crowned a national champion when she won the indoor title in the weight throw behind a toss of 68 feet-2.5 inches at the NCAA Division II Championship on March 10.

“It’s been a long road and a long time coming. To build up to No. 1 is not easy,” says Destiney. “To pull off a national championship this year, a lot of work went into the event I do. That’s what you have to do to get there.”

Destiney’s best throw of the season came when she recorded a distance of 69 feet-10.25 inches at the Dartmouth Invitational on Jan. 7. Destiney was initially disappointed that her championship throw didn’t go as far as that one, although the significance of her victory eventually started to sink in.

“I was disappointed I wasn’t able to throw my best, but my coach was telling me I got it done. Right now, I got what I needed to, and that’s all that matters,” Destiney says. “After they talked to me and calmed me down, I was happier for myself...It’s unreal to think I’m a national champion. It’s weird to think about it now.”

Bill Sutherland, Destiney’s throwing coach at SCSU, knew that she had the potential to succeed in the weight and hammer throws during the indoor and outdoor seasons, respectively. Although Destiney still does the shot put, Sutherland says that she’s fared even better in her newer events.

“We started the weight throw and hammer as a tool to help her in the shot put. When she started the hammer, you could see her brain is wired for making circles, as opposed to being linear like you are for the shot. I told her she can be a world-class hammer thrower,” Sutherland says. “At first, she was resistant, but she was willing to go along with it, and it’s been unreal...It’s crazy that she got better each and every day—and noticeably better. Most kids see a little improvement in three weeks, but with her, I was seeing progress every day. I know the path to success, and she was on that path nationally.”

White Sutherland calls Destiney a natural, she says that her success at SCSU has certainly come with some challenges.

“It was difficult at first. I remember in my first meet, my throw didn’t go that far, and I think I came in dead last. I wanted to stop. He didn’t let me stop, though. Now, here I am today,” Destiney says. “With weight and hammer, it’s more technique. There is more grace that goes into it, and that’s what I’ve learned.”

Destiney holds SCSU’s school record in the hammer throw with a toss of 205 feet-1 inch, which is also the record for the New England Championship. On the heels of such a great indoor campaign, Destiney is excited to see what’s ahead in the spring season.

“I cried that day as soon as I heard the mark. It meant a lot to me. I’ve thrown far, but not like that in a meet,” says Destiney. “When it came out of my hands, it was a lot of excitement and happiness. I’m finally doing what I’ve trained to do. I really am dedicated and do love the sport a lot.