MARYSVILLE — Former Olympic thrower Jarred Rome conducted his third throwing clinic at Marysville-Pilchuck High School on March 15, and he was pleased with the turnout, noting that the popularity of clinic has increased each year since its inception.

“It’s gone from 30 in the first year to 60 last year, and 75 this year,” Rome said. “So it’s definitely been growing.”

The clinic aimed to teach and improve the technique of various track and field throws. “This is our third annual camp, so it’s been kind of in the process for over 10 years,” Rome said. “Since 2004, I wanted to put on a camp here.”

Rome graduated from M-P in 1995. He has competed as a professional thrower for more than 21 years, specializing in the discus.

“I just want to make this a place where people can get Olympic-level coaching,” Rome said.

During his career, Rome has competed in the 2004 and 2012 Summer Olympics, and he was a two-time National Champion, in 2004 and 2011.

“I got together with Randy Davis, the head coach here, and said, ‘Hey, let’s start doing something,’” Rome said. “’Let’s see if we can find some other Olympians in the area, and teach them what I have learned.’”

The clinic welcomed back former Olympic two-time Gold Medalist javelin thrower Duncan Atwood, who was there last year.

The camp’s most recent addition was Mike Torie, who assisted Rome in the discus throw during the clinic.

“It’s pretty cool, and I will say it’s really humbling,” Torie said. “I wasn’t the best thrower at my school at the time.”

Torie hopes to use his personal story as an Olympian-in-the-making as an inspiration for other throwers. Torie is currently being trained under Rome, and plans on competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“I’m just excited to be here, and to tell the kids who maybe think they aren’t good, to keep working,” Torie said. “When you have adversity, there is opportunity to grow and get stronger.”

Torie attended and graduated from Lakewood High School in 2004, but it was at M-P where he had a defining moment in his throwing career.

“This is where it started for me,” he said. “My first big meet in high school, when I was a senior, was at the Tomahawk Classic.”

Torie was also impressed with the amount of students that showed up.

“I’m impressed with the turnout, especially for track and field,” he said. “You don’t hear a whole lot about track and field, so to have this kind of a turnout is really good.”

As the clinic continues to develop, Rome plans on expanding the clinic by adding new features in the future.

“My goal is to bring other events here,” Rome said. “Next year I’m going to bring in events other than throws, and make it a track and field camp.”

Rome is looking to implement jumps and runs in the clinic’s future.

For more information about Jarred Rome and his throwing clinic, visit his website at www.jarredrome.org.