Senior throws a season-best to win shot put competition
By: Rich Fisher
John Viotto didn’t get his 55 feet, but he did get a gold medal.
Viotto won the NJSIAA Group IV shot put this past Sunday in Toms River with a career-best indoor throw of 53-feet, 4¾ inches, beating out Washington Township’s Kwabena Keene by 1¾ inches.
"I wanted to hit 55 because I’ve been doing so well in practice," the senior said. "But it was still my best throw of the year so far. I think I have 55 in me, I just didn’t have it that day."
Viotto was seeded second entering the meet. Last year, he was seeded fifth and finished second, so he continues to surpass his seed.
The winning throw came on his fifth toss overall and his second in the finals. Keene had the lead entering the final with a 53-2, while Viotto had a 52-5. The Viking came up big, giving him yet another title in an outstanding winter season.
"John really stepped it up," said South Brunswick coach Stefan Moorhead. "By coming from behind like that he showed what a competitor he is."
Viotto has now won the Greater Middlesex Conference meet, been part of the Group IV relay champion with Joe Mecca, and has taken second in numerous other meets.
"I think I had some rough meets at the beginning of the year," he said. "I’ve been throwing real well of late though, and building up for the big meets."
And the winter season, of course, is a build-up for the spring meets. Viotto has taken advantage of the cold months to hone certain areas.
"I’ve been working on my glide, which is part of my form for the shot put," he said. "That’s my most inconsistent thing, but as the years have gone on, I’ve gotten better at that."
Viotto now moves on to the Meet of Champions Sunday, where he will once more go for his magic number.
"I want that 55," he said. "I don’t think that will win it. There are a couple of guys seeded who have thrown 57’s and 58’s, but if I get 55 that should give me a top five finish. Group III is the strongest in the shot this year."
Viotto enters the meet with the ninth best throw in the state this winter, and the first eight have all gone over 54-8. Scotch Plains Mike Alleman is the leader at 59-6¼, and A.L. Johnson’s Oliver Haney is fifth at 56¼ , so a top-5 finish by Viotto would impressive.
With just the spring season remaining, the soon-to-be graduate has also been busy narrowing down his college choices. Right now he has it sliced to Delaware, Rutgers and Maryland, who are all offering some sort of scholarship money.

