RENO, Nev. — When I met Michael Hambrick, he had just competed in the 2021 USATF (USA Track & Field) Masters National Championships. At age 62, he placed second in the age 60-64 Weight Pentathlon which is a combined event in track and field.

The pentathlon consists of five events that happens in one day; the four Olympic throwing events are hammer throw, shot put, discus throw and javelin throw, plus the weight throw. Hambrick explained that essentially, it’s a mini decathlon. He has been throwing since he was a teen. He competed in high school in New Castle, Pennsylvania where he placed second in state for the discus throw.

He attended Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania where he was recognized as an outstanding athlete in track and field. Hambrick had a much smaller stature than the other athletes. At the time, he weighed about 200 pounds and most of his competitors weighed 240 or 250 pounds. But that didn’t stop him from competing at the highest level and earning accolades.

After college, he kept at his sport and became stronger through the years. So much stronger that he earned 15 titles at the USATF Masters National Championships.  An injury and surgeries to his right elbow stopped him from throwing for 15 years. Meanwhile, he passed on his passion for the sport to his own children who are now adults. 

At age 58, he retired from being a high school guidance counselor in Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Sony, moved to Reno. And they are glad they did. Hambrick explained, “After retiring and moving to Reno I knew I needed something to do. That’s when I decided to throw again after 15 years and got involved with the Nevada Senior Games and began to compete nationally. As a Christian, I lead a pretty clean life and have managed to stay in shape. I live next to a golf course and walk about 6-8 miles a day to keep my conditioning up. Plus, I’m a coach so I’m practicing throwing all the time.”

Hambrick soon enlisted to become a track and field coach at Wooster High. “I can honestly say I’m a better coach than athlete. The coaching aspect is great because it gives me an opportunity to provide guidance to the kids. I am able to give them positive enforcement, teach them how to deal with others, how to be competitive and be sensitive toward others. They learn their competitors can actually be your friends. I always tell them to do their best. I’ve also coached a couple of master level athletes in their 70’s. They’re so pleased to have somebody that is willing to put the time in to help them become better athletes no matter what their age. Seeing the smiles on their faces is worth it. As we get older, keeping our strength up and being healthy matters more and more,” he shared.

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