Athletics

Feeling Good

N Our Voice by Henry Zimmerman

Scott Bruhn

Feeling good.

It's a simple phrase, but there's so much power in it.

Sometimes, it's easy to take for granted, especially as a young athlete.

I've been reminded of this fact more than ever this season.

I was out all of last year because of an injury.

So basically, for an entire year, I wasn't feeling good.

Returning to competition this year, I had no idea how I would perform.

I was a little nervous for what was ahead.

But after breaking the school record in my very first meet, I shattered my own doubt and uncertainty.

I did it again in my second meet this season.

So, I'm still not totally sure what the future holds, but I know I'm on the right path and I'm extremely grateful because I feel good again.

Things are rolling in the right direction.

But before we get into all of that, let's rewind a little bit.

Football vs. Track & Field

I started doing track and field in middle school, and I remember having to narrow my sports down to just football and track and field.

My decision was made much easier by my sister, who was a thrower at Villanova in high school and had a great coach, Glenn Thompson, who coached a few Olympic-level throwers.

I started learning the basics of the discus and shot put in eighth grade.

At the time, football was still my first love, but my back injury in high school really changed everything.

I couldn't rotate my spine left or right, which is crucial for throwing the discus.

But the hammer throw is a little different.

I didn't need as much rotation, so I started messing around with it, and my high school coach showed me how to throw it.

I started getting recruited more heavily in track and field than in football, so I chose track.

I loved football, but I couldn't turn down the opportunities that were coming my way in track and field.

The hammer throw was an outlet for me to hone my competitive nature, and I loved the technical aspect of it.

It was a bit different than football, where everything isn't totally in your control.

When I'm in the ring, it's all on me.

The results are a direct reflection of the work I've put in.

I have a love/hate relationship with it at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

And I know I made the right decision.

Looking up

As I started to find a passion for the hammer throw, I began to fall in love with the idea of being the best athlete I could be.

I come from a family of athletes.

My sister was a DI athlete at Villanova, and my dad was a DI football player, so that competitive spirit has always been in our family.

I wanted to be like my older siblings and push myself to achieve greatness. I've always been a competitive little brother, always trying to do whatever my sisters could do.

Track and field has given me that outlet to push myself and take my competitive nature to new heights.

I'm not just competing against the other throwers in the ring; I'm competing against myself to get better every single day.

It's addicting, really.

The more I compete, the more I want to improve.

The more I improve, the more I compete.

It's a never-ending cycle. And I love it.

"Henry was accomplished already when he came here, but you can tell he's wasn't content with his past performances. That's an incredible trait to have with an athlete of his caliber. He will keep pushing. He has some lofty goals."

Greg FlecherNew Albany High School Track Coach

At Nebraska

After competing at Penn State my freshman year, I transferred to Nebraska.

It was a really tough decision, and I had nothing but respect for my coaches and teammates at Penn State, but after visiting Nebraska and learning more about the history of the program, I knew it was the right decision.

My parents instilled in me at a young age that you never want to be the smartest, strongest or most experienced person in the room.

You always want to be learning and growing, and Nebraska provided me with that opportunity.

I still had so much to learn, and being around people who were leagues ahead of me was exactly what I needed.

I got the chance to train with and learn from some of the best throwers in the country, and it's made all the difference in my career.

I think that's the best environment to be in as an athlete and as a person.

I love the athletic community at Nebraska.

It's like nothing I've ever been a part of before.

It's a really unique experience, and it's something that I really appreciate about Nebraska.

I'm proud to be a part of such an amazing community.

Looking back and looking ahead

As I look back on my journey, it's hard to believe how far I've come.

I never could have imagined that I'd be in the position I am today, breaking school records and competing at the highest level.

It's been an incredible ride, and I'm so grateful for all the love and support I've received from my family, coaches, teammates, and friends.

But I'm not done yet.

I still have big goals and dreams that I want to achieve, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make those dreams a reality.

I hope to continue to push the needle and inspire others through my performances. And one day, I hope to compete in the Olympics and represent my country on the biggest stage in the world.

But for now, I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and taking it one throw at a time.

And who knows where this journey will take me.