Macri to throw discus at OU
• St. John Central senior standout signs national letter of intentBy SETH STASKEY, Times Leader Sports Editor
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St. John Central senior Alexa Macri personifies class and character.
Throw in talented and you've got the makings of a Division I athlete.
That's exactly what she is after she inked her National Letter of Intent to continue both her academic and track and field careers at Ohio University in Athens.
"I'm really excited," Macri said. "Ohio offers so much for its athletes and no other school I looked at could measure up to it, so the decision to go (to Ohio) became pretty easy."
Macri's signing as a Division I athlete didn't come as any shock to Bubba Kapral, who is now retired as head track coach at SJC.
"Ohio University is getting a great thrower, but more importantly OU is getting a super young lady," Kapral said. "Alexa has a work ethic second to none. She throws year round and has been a relentless worker in the weight room. Alexa is a great student of the discus."
Macri first picked up a discus in junior high and the rest has been history.
Macri's older brother threw the discus for the Irish and Alexa thought it would fun, so she started with the platter as well.
"I absolutely fell in love with the sport," Macri said. "Now I just can't keep myself away from it."
Being a junkie in the sport are strong attributes to have, but Macri has the talent to go along with those intangible aspects. That's evidenced by her career thus far in which she qualified for the state meet last year and took home a silver medal as the state runnerup.
"I never thought I'd do as well as I did," Macri said. "I started the season just wanting to be the best I could be and then when I saw how good I could be, it made me even more determined to do well. I was relaxed at the state meet and did what I could do."
Macri's success at the state meet didn't come as any shock to her now retired head coach Robert "Bubba" Kapral.
"Alexa rises to the occassion," Kapral said. "The bigger the meet, the better she competes as typified in the state meet last spring. Many people do not realize Alexa was the OVAC pole champion as a freshman and sophomore.
Macri's not let her laurels go to her head after she's won the OVAC, district and regional titles.
"I've been practicing all winter," Macri said. "I've gone through a lot this off-season, but I've gotten stronger and I've critiqued my technique a lot and I'm just really excited to get the season started."
Macri was quick to point out the support and teaching she's received from Lady Irish throws coach Paul Xenakis, who will take over the SJC girls' squad this spring.
"Coach Xenakis started working with me and my career took off from there," Macri said.
"Alexa rises to the occasion," Kapral said. "She has a great rapport with coach Xenakis and he's has been a big key in her success."
The past success hasn't gone to Macri's head, but at the same time she's not using it as added pressure either.
"I'm not going to limit myself by setting a bunch of goals," Macri said. "I will say I'd like to break some (meet) records and when it comes to the postseason I'm just going to relax and do what I've trained to do the past four years."
At Ohio, Macri will obviously continue in the discus, but she's been told by the Lady Bobcat coaching staff that she'll be picking up hammer and weight throws as well.
"I'm looking forward to trying the other events, but the discus will always be my favorite," Macri pointed out.
While focusing on the discus, Macri is an improving shot putter.
"I'm not as good at the shot put, but it helps me keep the sense of competition alive throughout the season," Macri said.
Macri is another in a long list of Division I female thinclads to come from the Irish program, which Macri credits to the coaching.
"The coaching here is great," Macri said. "Even though we've had different coaches, we all work toward the same goal and we've all got our own talents."
Macri also gets it done away from the throwing circle, taking part in countless school, civic and church organizations.
During her time at SJC, Alexa has been in Follies; attended Buckeye Girls State; Served as President of the marching band, vice-president of the Interact Club; Marched in the OVAC Band and been a consistent member of the honor roll as well as a member of the Environ-mental club. She's also active in music ministry and God Squad at her church.
Alexa - who is unsure of her major - is the daughter of Terri and Mark of St. Clairsville.
Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleader-online.com
