Ranking sixth place in SC’s discus history with a farthest throw of 112 feet and two inches, Silvia Gutierrez plans to match or exceed the school record.

With the intent to have an extracurricular on her college applications, senior Silvia Gutierrez signed up to throw discus.

Gutierrez chose discus over any other team sport because she considers herself “a more independent person.”

“How far you get into the season depends on yourself. Other teammates’ apathy or laziness does not affect me,” Gutierrez said.

As for her technique, Gutierrez tries to remain relaxed and not overthink her body movements.

“You have to have it [technique] down to the point where you can trust your body’s movements,” said Gutierrez.

Although she had never thrown a discus, she joined the varsity team and made it to CCS her first year.

“I was the youngest competitor and placed third,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez trains and practices at SCHS’s track for two hours every day, and frequently trains with Coach Paul Fuller.

“She’s a great girl to work with. Her form is great and I do think she’ll be able to come close to the school record. It just takes time,” Fuller said.

Not only does Gutierrez train at school, she works out at home as well.

“I always take some discs home and work on my form. Sometimes I look up videos to master the technique. I run a few times a week for half an hour, use medicine balls, squats and endless lunges,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez does multiple sets of lunges across the football field and can squat about 95 pounds. She also takes time out of her weekends to go to invitationals, which are track meets outside of a school league.

Gutierrez has received multiple medals, awards, and wins. Her junior year she placed second in Santa Clara Valley’s Athletic League (SCVAL).

“At this season’s first practice meet, with the entire league, I got first place, with 108 feet.” Gutierrez said.

Kevin Law, a teammate of Gutierrez, describes her as a “very fun and energetic girl who brings a great vibe to practice. She makes me want to throw farther.”

With a little over two months left in Gutierrez’s high school career she has one goal: match or exceed the school’s record. Jane Hambleton set the school record at 133 feet and 2 inches in 1980.

Gutierrez said, “It’s my last year and I’m going to try my hardest to come as close as I can to the school’s record.”