GRAY

Louise Duffus’ trip to the top of the high school track and field throwing world was a long one.

That journey was not because of the time it took to develop into a state champion thrower, but the miles she had to travel just to get to Gray-New Gloucester High School.

Since Duffus’ father worked at the Panama Canal, her childhood was spent in American schools in Panama. There, she was introduced briefly to throwing a shot put, first in fifth grade and again in eighth.

“We didn’t have track and field in Panama, really,” said Duffus. “In fifth grade my gym teacher had me try throwing a shot put at a school event, and then in eighth grade at the last event for all of the American schools he approached me again. I said sure, why not.”

After graduating from eighth grade in 1999, with the Panama Canal no longer in the control of the United States, Duffus’ family moved back to Maine.

“We had family here and we had been here to visit, so it just seemed natural to come back here,” said Duffus.

During her freshman year, Duffus joined the track team, where she met up with throwing coach John Berube. Berube also coaches at the University of Southern Maine.

“She was just really strong from the beginning,” said Berube. “And even though she had that natural ability to throw, she is always one of the first into the weight room and one of the last to leave.”

After a freshman year that saw her place place in the state meet in the shot put, Duffus refocused. Starting in 2001, she started her climb to the top, winning the Western Maine Conference, Western regional and state championship each of the next two years.

“I don’t care much about placing,” said Duffus. “I mean, it’s nice to win of course, but I just want to improve each year. If I can do that and someone comes along that’s better, that’s fine. I get frustrated if I have an off day or something, but other than that I just keep on going. If it happens that I keep winning, I’m not going to complain about it.”

This year, Duffus will be searching for her third consecutive state titles in both the discus and the shot put.

“She set the record indoors this year at 41 feet,” said Berube. “The qualifying standard for Division III nationals is 41-3, and she’s almost there as a senior in high school.”

Duffus next year will be attending Bowdoin College. She is currently No. 3 in her class and was accepted as an early decision candidate. She also plans to continue to throw.

“I hope I get to continue throwing at least,” said Duffus. “Obviously academics come first, and here if we have an assignment or something, the coaches understand. The sport is a lot more flexible in terms of practice time, so it makes it easier for that to happen.”

Duffus has also qualified and done well at the New England level in both events. The accolades should only continue to add up for the American from Panama living in Maine.

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