Ranging from a 6-foot-7, 300-pound future Division I football player to a 5-foot-4, 115-pound girl, the Issaquah track and field throwers represent just about every size, shape and personality in between.

But, place the glaring differences aside, and the group of 22 athletes couldn’t be more alike.

“These kids are about as varied as vitamins, but they all come together for the cause of having fun and trying to improve, while competing for their team,” coach Earle Stuard said.

Fellow throwing coach Kristy Andrews concurred.

“They’re about as a diverse of a group as you can imagine — from first-timers, who are just exploring what the events are, to those who have already found their passion for it,” she said.

University of Wyoming-bound offensive lineman Daniel Fleischman is one of those throwers who never competed in track and field before. The 6-foot-7, 300-pound senior opted to join the team after hearing the Eagles were in need of athletes.

“I just heard we didn’t really have any shot throwers …,” he said.

Friend, fellow football player and throwing veteran Mike Baba, convinced Fleischman to join the team.

Baba noted throwing events are unlike anything else when it comes to competition.

“You get multiple shots, (but) with a sprint, you only get one shot,” he said. “And, it’s just kind of fun throwing stuff around.”

Senior Kelley Chen has competed in throwing events since her days at Pine Lake Middle School. At 5-foot-4, with a slender build, she currently leads the KingCo 4A with a long javelin throw of 112 feet, 4 inches.

“It makes it evident that throwing is not just strength and size, but technique,” said Andrews, a former Washington State University thrower, who’s coaching for the first time.

The secret to success for Chen?

“I like high-fiving people really hard and that translates to javelin really well,” she said, laughing.

Stuard noted while this group of throwers might be one of the most diverse he’s ever had in terms of physical size, personality and experience, they might also be the most unique in their ability to meld as one.

Unlike successful Issaquah High teams he helped coach in the early to mid 90s, he said there is no obstacle that prevents the seniors from talking to the freshmen, the boys talking to the girls, or vice versa.

Whether that will translate into success for the Eagle throwers in terms of school records or state-qualifying marks, is yet to be seen. But Stuard is certain about one thing.

“They’re all in it together,” he said.

Senior shot and javelin thrower Missy Davis couldn’t agree more with her coach.

“I feel like it’s a little community or family where everybody brings something way different to the table,” she said. “We all get along really well and we can bring out the best in each other.”