2015 VertKlasse Meeting Official Homepage

HIGH POINT, N.C. - For one weekend each April, the High Point University track & field teams host an event unlike any of its kind in the nation. A unique collegiate showcase that brings together teams from across the country to experience a high-octane event they won't soon forget.
 
We're talking of course about the VertKlasse Meeting. Founded by the HPU programs in 2009, the VertKlasse Meeting is a European-style meet that features a small amount of high-level competitors, creating a fast-moving, exciting competition. The events that normally take the better part of two days to complete are suddenly condensed into an action-packed three hours of hurdles, vaults, javelins and jumps.
 
The name "VertKlasse" is based on the Weltklasse Zürich meet (pronounced VELT-class ZUR-ick, German for World Class Zurich), a famed international meet held annually in Switzerland.
 
The name "Vert" was added in honor of two of HPU's greatest benefactors and alumni, Dick and Peg Vert, for whom Vert Stadium is named. Dick Vert was a member of the HPU cross country and track teams in the 1960s.
 
Hosting a condensed meet like the VertKlasse is the perfect way to spread awareness and get fans excited about the variety of events in the track & field sphere, known as "Athletics" in the Olympic Games. Yes, the 21 events that are featured at the VertKlasse meet truly showcases athleticism with great variety in its most pure form. There's no surprise why track & field continues to be the No. 1 sport for high school female student-athletes, in terms of participation, and No. 2 with male high schoolers.
 
For all of these reasons, the VertKlasse Meeting proves to be one of the highlights of the year for HPU student-athletes – an opportunity to compete at home in front of a supportive crowd.
 
"It's my favorite event - there's always a huge turnout," senior thrower Christian Spaulding said. "The lacrosse teams always come out to support us and our families are there to cheer us on. It's the perfect environment to throw far. That's why it's so special."
 
To build up to High Point University track & field's preeminent meet, the High Point University athletic department will feature one or more of the events held at VertKlasse every two days until the 2015 competition April 3-4. Content will include videos, social media graphics, written narratives and a host of other materials featuring current and former Panthers. Check @HPUTrack on Twitter, https://www.facebook.com/hpu.trackxc and http://highpointpanthers.com for regular VertKlasse features heading into the April meet.
 
Javelin
 
Our first highlighted event leading up to the VertKlasse meet has arguably the most interesting origin. The javelin first came to be as a weapon, used during the Mycenaen times and the Roman Empire.
 
As a modern sport in the Olympics and World Championships, the event has been dominated by the Scandinavian and Nordic countries.
 
The women's javelin weights in at 600 grams (23 oz) while the men's javelin is 800 grams (28 oz). The jav is thrown in both the decathlon and heptathlon and the event features a unique blend of speed and technique that is just as critical as strength. The men's record is 323 feet while the women's is 237 feet.
 
To put those impressive numbers in perspective, Spaulding can throw the javelin 223 feet, which is a long enough throw to land on the roof of the tallest building in Washington D.C.
 
"It's such an awesome sport that takes you back to the roots of civilization and athletics," Spaulding said. "You basically throw a spear as far as you can and gives me the feeling of a South American warrior when I'm competing."
 
Since the arrival of Spaulding and junior Chrissy Rickert on the women's side, the javelin has quickly become one of HPU's premier scoring opportunities in conference. Rickert holds the High Point school record (156'9, 47.78m) and won the Big South title in 2014, while Spaulding is the men's record holder (223'9, 68.19m).
 
Hammer Throw
 
The hammer throw and javelin make up two of the four throwing events featured in collegiate track & field. The other two are discus and shot put.
 
The hammer throw originated at the Scottish Highland games in the late 18^th century and was used as a form of military training in the country. It debuted in the Olympics in 1900 in Paris.
 
The men's hammer weights 16 pounds while the women's hammer checks in at 8.8 pounds. The wire attached to the hammer is approximately four feet in length. The men's record is 280' while the women's is 260'. The women's event was added to the Olympic Games in 2000 in Sydney.
 
So what does it take to be a successful hammer thrower?
 
"Balance, speed and strength is key with the hammer, much like with most throws," HPU associate head coach Eric Dudley said. "The footwork in the hammer is more repetitive when you add turns, not like the shot put or discus where it's ever changing and evolving when it leads to the release. But for the hammer you have to be very strong to counter the weight of the ball as the centrifugal forces are pulling it faster. If you don't keep up with the ball it's going to start pulling you."
 
The hammer throw is an event that HPU is continuing to develop, led by standouts like current junior Jamie Schnuck. Schnuck set a new school record in the weight throw during the 2015 indoor season and has the tools necessary to also reach the top school mark in the hammer.
 
Schnuck and the rest of the Panther throws crew have a new opportunity this season - to compete in HPU's brand new hammer cage. The highlight of the new apparatus? Of course, it's purple from top to bottom.
 
#GoHPU