Field Star Matthew Krogh Commits to Dartmouth

Story by Colin Park Graphics by Noah Neri dartmouth dartmouthkroghfield starWhen one thinks of sports, they may think of basketball, football, baseball, or soccer. However in sport, many do not think about is shot put and the hammer throw. Under the category of track and field sports, shot put and hammer throw are one of the most difficult sports to perfect. Here at West Ranch, we had a chance to interview Matthew Krogh, a senior athlete who competes in the shot put and the hammer throw. Krogh told The Paw Print that at the age of nine, he was “trying out different sports, and ended up being pretty good at shot put,” so he “stuck to it.” By practicing five to six times a week, he still strives to improve every single day. Krogh’s natural talent and hard work are the reasons why he has become so successful in this sport. In life, he aspires to be like Elon Musk, a business magnate and engineer who is most famous for being the designer and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. In shot put, however, he aspires to be like Ryan Crouser, an American shot putter and discus thrower who won the gold medal for Team USA at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and Tom Walsh, a New Zealand athlete who is the current national record holder 2013: Krogh competes in the hammer throw during a meet for the first time. 2014: Krogh throwing shot put at nationals in Des Moines, Iowa.

in both and emailed a few coaches, and got responses from outdoor Dartmouth, Yale, Stanford, UPenn, UCLA, USC, and and indoor shot Duke.” Krogh was so dedicated that he was sending put. daily videos of him throwing and lifting to these When asked what coaches, while also communicating with them via he thinks is the most phone and Zoom calls. In the end, Dartmouth, Yale, important physical and Stanford and USC were all very interested in Krogh, mental trait to have in the so he took a visit to all of these schools on his own, shot put and hammer throw, since official visits were canceled this year. he stated, “Mentally, you need “Throughout my recruitment process and during to be focused every practice, and my visit,” Krogh said, “I fell in love with Dartmouth’s physically you need to be lifting trying campus, the feel of the school, the team and the to get stronger, while also developing quick coach.” Krogh felt that Dartmouth Coach Jeff twitch muscles.” An average training day for Krogh Forino truly understood technique and specific starts off with working on technique, then doing muscle training for throwers, while also being very stairs, plyometrics, sprints or light cardio, then to go lighthearted and fun with his mannerisms and lifting. In all, this process takes four hours of his time. training. The future college athlete also highlighted

During competitions, Krogh tries to stay focused that he loved the small classes, academic excellence, on the game and his technique. He oftentimes has a Greek system, professors and the extremely tightlist in his head about what he needs to improve while knit alumni network. With all this in mind, Krogh also trying to clear his head and stay relaxed. This committed to Dartmouth in October. seems to be very helpful for Krogh as he is currently The greatest athletes play sports for the enjoyment throwing a 12 pound shot 56 to 57 feet, and a twelve of the game, and Krogh is no exception; he loves pound hammer 185 to 190 feet. He can even clear a the competitive aspect of shot put, and every day distance of 160 to 165 feet by throwing a 16 pound he tries to outwork and compete with other players, ball. teammates and himself. As his time as a college

His stats are so good, in fact, that he has been athlete approaches, The Paw Prints wishes him the scouted by many prestigious colleges. Krogh best of luck on his journey on Dartmouth’s track and explained, “The recruitment process was pretty field team! stressful. I filled out a few athletic questionnaires

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dartmouth 2018: Krogh throwing shot put in the national championship, this time in South Carolina. 2019: Krogh after placing in shot put at the Nike Arcadia invitational.