David Harless has broken Centre College indoor shot put record twice already. (Centre College Athletics Photo)
David Harless was a two-time Kentucky state high school discus champion at Russell but the Centre College freshman is excelling in the shot put early in his collegiate career.
Centre coach Lisa Owens thought Harless could be “amazing” this season but he’s already set the school indoor record in the shot put twice. He threw 49 feet, 1 3/4 inches in his first indoor meet and then threw 49-5 3/4 at the Steemer Showcase Feb. 1 at Wittenberg. His next meet on Feb. 14 is the Centre Indoor Invitational.
Harless, who was second in the state shot put his high school senior season, is not sure what his best event is any more.
“It has been a weird few weeks. I got the indoor record to start the season and then I under performed a bit the next few weeks and think it was just a lot of nerves,” Harless said.
Harless sets a high standard for himself. He wants to qualify for the Division III Indoor Championships at least in the shot put.
Harless has never competed indoors as often as he already has at Centre. That’s why he anticipates when the outdoor season starts his confidence and results could improve.
“Things will be a little more natural outdoors,” Harless said. “I am more used to outdoor rings, so that should help.”
Harless did not have a “throws coach” in high school but says he was always in the gym lifting weights and working out which improved his results.
“I also played football sophomore through senior years. I played basketball until my freshmen year. I even ran cross country in elementary school to eighth grade,” the Centre freshman said.
Sticking with track no matter what and choosing that sport in college is no surprise considering he has a “big track family” that encouraged him. His mother ran at the University of Kentucky and her aunt ran at Morehead and UK. His cousin has committed to run at Morehead and another cousin is on Union College’s track team.
“We are just a big track family. I have always been a bigger kid. I definitely was never going to be a sprinter,” Harless said. “Mom did try to coach and critique me at times. Same with Dad. But I liked to look on YouTube and Instagram for tips and try to coach myself. But my parents never pushed me.”
Academics “definitely” played a major role in his decision to attend Centre. He had never met Owens personally until he got on campus but assistant coach Jacob Carter had followed him closely during his prep career.
“I heard about the academics and they had a good financial aid package,” Harless said. “The track team has been great. I expected everyone to be pretty good. We have a bunch of younger guys who are amazing. I think we will be really good for the next few years.”
Harless certainly appreciates Centre’s new indoor facility that has allowed him to avoid training in the “super cold weather” recently.
“I have thrown outdoors in the winter before and it just is not fun,” he said. “The indoor facility here blows you away. I went on D1 visits and this facility is 10 times better than anywhere else I visited.”
Between academics and athletics, Harless does not have a lot of free time — but that suits him.
“My main thing is lifting. If I have free time, I go to the gym and work out. I kind of do my own thing that way. I am not exactly a social butterfly. I am content just lifting and being in the gym,” Harless said.
