Derick “Ringo” Adamson has been a strong believer in the idea that good things come to those who work for them.

As coach of the Rowan Women’s Track & Field team, he has stressed the ideals of hard work and personal improvement. When those ideals meet hard working and talented athletes, big things can happen. And they did on Monday.

At the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championships sophomore Makayla Taylor stepped up in a big way, breaking the school and conference record for the weight throw with a throw of 16.24m (53’ 3.5).

“I was very nervous [that day], NJACs is a big meet,” Taylor said. “On the bus I was just trying to stay calm, listen to music but it wasn’t working … We had a team huddle [when we got there] and that really helped … I was a little nervous, I had a rough week with throwing during practice, but I just got in there, just relaxed.”

When she found out her mark, she could not believe it.

“I just thought it was crazy,” Taylor said. “I never thought that I could do that, going from last year only throwing nine meters, to this year throwing 16.”

Adamson was asked if there was a possibility in his mind that a record was going to be broken in the weight throw.

“To be totally honest, no,” Adamson said. “I knew she was improving. Last year she was at nine meters and she was improving, but I never saw that 16 meters coming.”

Adamson then credited all the coaching help for the record breaking day to field coach Liz Madden.

As for Taylor her season is far from over. There are still a few big meets left for the indoor season, and then a whole new spring season. With that a whole new set of goals, especially in other events such as shot put.

“There’s definitely more in me in shot,” Taylor said. “I know what I’m capable of and I just got to keep going.”

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