Track Coach Santoli Sets Amateur Record

Sept. 26, 2002

FAIRFIELD, CT - Edinburgh, Scotland is a long way from Patchogue, Long Island, and the name Santoli doesn't exactly inspire memories of William Wallace or the Battle of Culloden. But for one summer day, if you closed your eyes for a moment, you could be transported back to the land of St. Andrew's Cross and witness some great feats of strength at the Long Island Scottish Festival.

It might not be on the village green in Dundee or another Scottish town, but for Sacred Heart University assistant track and field coach, Steve Santoli, Hempstead, NY was just as sweet. He and the other competitors were decked out in their traditional Scottish tartans, sweating and straining through traditional Scottish feats of strength.

Santoli set a new world amateur record in the 56-pound weight throw for height at the Long Island Scottish Festival on September 21. A former All-American in track and field at the University of Connecticut, he recorded a throw of 16 feet, eight inches to break the old record of 16 feet, six inches, set by Witek Busse in Kansas City in 1999.

Santoli, competing for the first time in a Scottish Games, medalled in six of seven total events to earn an overall second place finish. He finished first in the 56-lb weight throw for height and the 16-lb stone throw with a toss of 49 feet, 11 inches. Santoli also medalled in the 28-lb weight throw, the 16-lb Scottish hammer throw, the Caber Toss, and the 16lb sheaf toss.

The 56-lb weight throw requires the competitor to throw the weight with one hand up and over a bar without knocking the bar out of place.

"At my first games in July, I cleared 15'5" and had near misses at 16'5"," commented Santoli. "At that point in the competition in Long Island, I had cleared 14'8" and no one else had cleared that height. I knew I had a shot at the record and decided to move it right up to 16'8". This was the last event of the seven and we had been competing for over six hours. I just told myself that this was my one shot for the day."

Santoli is a full-time member of the Sacred Heart graduate admissions office, and enters his second season coaching the throwing events for the Pioneers. At the University of Connecticut he was the Big East Champion and All-American in the 35-lb weight throw in 1998. He earned All-Big East, All-East, and All-New England honors in shot put, weight, discus, and hammer throws as well.

The Pioneer coach will compete at the Goshen Scottish Festival on October 5th in Goshen, CT. The competition will feature the top amateur heavy-game athletes in the northeast.

"These guys coming are come of the best around, so I am psyched to get the chance to throw with them," Santoli says.

What is even more fun for Santoli is the chance to compete and visit with some of his old friends and foes from his college days.

"I used to compete against a lot of these guys in college," he says. "Three of them at Long Island had attended Southern Connecticut. It should be a lot of fun in Goshen. No egos. Just a good time, a lot of support and some laughs."

"I was very happy with my throws at Long Island, but I think am a little better prepared for the next meet," stated Santoli. "I will come into the Goshen competition at 15 feet and try to save some energy so that I can push the record up a bit. I think I might be able to get 17 feet in the next few weeks."