John Welch was named ACC track and field performer of the week this week, and although this might not seem surprising for a senior athlete who finished first in the ACC in the javelin throw his freshman year, it is unexpected from an athlete who twice prepared himself never to compete again.
Welch said he only once thought of quitting, after his first college throwing coach left.
"I was really considering trying out for the baseball team, just as a walk on," Welch said. "But the new coach turned out to be Jason Twedt. It's thanks to Twedt that this program has survived as well as it has."
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Much more trying for Welch than the coaching situation, however, was having to overcome surgery that nearly ended his throwing days.
Welch was medically redshirted his sophomore year. He needed surgery on his arm because of a tendon he injured during competition.
"They cut me up," Welch said, pointing to a scar on his right wrist and another half way up to his elbow.
The surgery went smoothly, but Welch had 18 months of recovery to do before he could even try to throw again.
"Rehab was just lonely, I was real anxious to throw," Welch said. "It was really hard sitting out and having to watch my teammates compete."
Despite finishing second in the ACC and seventh in the NCAA championships in the javelin throw last year, Welch said he was disappointed with his play.
"I really didn't have a good year last year," Welch said. "Just a few weeks ago I got checked out to see if I had any rotator cuff damage. Luckily, I didn't. This is a real tough event because it's very taxing on the body. For me it's just about staying healthy."
Unsure whether his comeback this year would be successful, Welch met with a friend who had played football at the Naval Academy over break and discussed life after sports.
"I just asked him what it was like, and we talked about it a bit," Welch said. "I was set to give it up. I knew this was my last season, and I was prepared either way."
To give his arm some extra rest, Welch decided to wait until the Duke Invitational for this season's comeback
"I had some strong warm up throws and I was feeling pretty good," Welch said. "But my first two throws in competition were really bad. It was all psychological. I just focused on improving something I knew I was doing wrong for my third throw."
Welch's third throw won the field at the meet and partially qualified him for NCAA championships. At 234 feet and five inches, it was the best throw in the ACC this year and earned Welch ACC track and field performer of the week honors.
"I don't want to say that's going to be my best performance of the season," Welch said. "Actually, I'll be disappointed if I don't break every field record this school has to offer."
Life after sports is still a concern in Welch's life, but one that he can put aside for now. The economics major said that he still plans to compete after college, although he may move on to non-academic pursuits.
Until then, Welch can throw and thrive on the competition. He can finally step on to the field and enjoy the sport.
"It was fun," Welch said, smiling. "It just turned fun for the first time since my first year"
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