March 6, 2007
Columbus, Ohio - It is common for younger siblings to want to show up their older brothers or sisters. In the case of Lenny Jatsek and his younger sister, Veronica Jatsek, siblings from Walton Hill, Ohio, circumstances are a little different. Even after winning his second consecutive Big Ten Championship this season, Lenny is still chasing Veronica as motivation for his own success.
Lenny is a two-time Big Ten champion in the weight throw following his latest win Feb. 24. Veronica took second at the 2007 Big Ten championships in the weight throw earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. It is the first time a brother-sister combination has earned All-Big Ten honors since Tonya and Tyrone Williams of Illinois gained the same honors in 1995.
"It is a complete tribute to our family," Lenny said. "So many people have helped us get to this point in our lives. When I came to Ohio State I was awful and last on the team. A year later, with the help of coach (Kevin) Mannon (men's throws coach), I was a Big Ten Champion and 13th place at NCAA's and an All-American. "
Veronica has made big steps in her second-year at Ohio State, she has set two personal-bests in the weight throw this season and she also has upped her personal-best from last season by eight feet.
Veronica's toss at the 2007 Big Ten Championships of 68-5 3/4 is the sixth-best weight mark in the country this season. It also qualified Veronica for the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark. The mark is the fourth best throw in Ohio State history. She also out-tossed the next best non-senior by 12 feet, 10 1/2 inches at Big Ten's.
Veronica has enjoyed being back with her brother after a season at Ashland in 2005. In addition to her support from Lenny, she is being tutored by former Buckeye All-American Keturah Lofton. Lofton is the Ohio State record holder in the weight throw and Veronica is the first person to admit that Lofton and the help of many others has gotten her to this point. "There are just so many people helping us and happy for us," Veronica said. "Everyone from our parents, high school coaches, my former coaches at Ashland, Keturah, coach Mannon, coach Qingyi Zheng (women's field coach) and coach Karen Dennis (head women's coach). They have all done so much for me and my brother and are so generally happy and proud of us. It is a great feeling to have so many people behind you. Having Lenny here with me has also meant a lot."
Lenny has not always been the athlete he is now. He has always been competitive with his sister, who is by Lenny's own admission, more athletic. The first time the two made the trip to the Ohio High School Track and Field Championships Lenny claimed first place while Veronica was forced to settle for second, just as they finished this year at the Big Ten meet. Lenny is the latest in a line of Ohio State Big Ten champion in the weight throw. He is the third Buckeye to contribute to the five-consecutive Ohio State Big Ten weight throw titles.
"People know now that it is our event," Lenny said. "Year after year we have someone near the top of the conference and then we take it at the NCAA Championships."
Veronica has learned a great deal from being back with her brother at Ohio State. She left Ashland University after her freshman season and has found a home at Ohio State by being anything but a tag along to her older brother. In fact, Veronica has thrown farther than Lenny this season by 1 foot, 8 inches (Men throw a 35 lb weight while the women throw a 20 lb weight.). A fact she does not mind reminding her brother.
"It is just like when we were back in high school," Veronica said. "I came in second this year. I really wanted to be a Big Ten champion with my brother, but I left everything in that ring and that is good to know. Even though I didn't win, it was still great to know I did the best I could."
This weekend at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships is Veronica's chance to chase her brother's accomplishments as she will try to match Lenny's 2006 All-American honor in the weight.
