How E.E. Smith's NCHSAA 3A shot put state champion Zahir Mcphail elevated his throwing

E.E. Smith's shot put star Zahir Mcphail became NCHSAA 3A state champion in the shot put throw this past winter as a junior.

But Mcphail's love for track didn't start until he got to high school at Smith in ninth grade. "It all began for me when I got here and had Coach Raymond Johnson as a teacher. He told me to come out to practice and just try it, and I immediately loved it," Mcphail said.

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When Johnson asked students in a Cyber Security class if they could run, jump, or throw, Mcphail was quick to raise his hand to volunteer after finishing his football season. "I didn't think that he'd stay committed because he was one of the smallest out of the group -- but he was the only one who stayed consistent," Johnson said.

During the indoor track & field season, Mcphail's confidence in his throwing abilities grew tremendously after seeing how good he was at the sport. One thing that makes him a fantastic athlete is the strength and conditioning program that he participates in with the Fayetteville Flyers. "He's extremely coachable and an even better listener, but the greatest key to his success is his ability to go out and practice on his own," Johnson said.

"It took constant training and dedication to get to this point," Mcphail said.

He broke the school record at E.E. Smith for shot put, throwing 16.65 meters this year after perfecting his technique. "It was a great feeling for me when I broke the record," Mcphail said. "It was a great moment for myself, coaches, and family when it happened.”

In the 3A state championship, McPhail placed first after throwing 54-0.750 for 10 points to defeat East Rowan's Jacob Butler.

"One thing I told Zahir's mother is that with his throwing talent, she will never have to pay for his college," Johnson said.

When Mcphail first started throwing, his initial goal was to get over the 40-foot mark and push toward 50 feet. His goal this spring is to get over the 60-foot mark, and elevate his game to get to college and hopefully become an Olympian.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: E.E. Smith's 3A Shot Put State Champion Zahir Mcphail on his success