Throwing and Growing Offers Young Women a Path to Success

From Staff Reports Throwing and Growing, a St. Louis–based nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring and physical training of young women ages 10–18, enjoyed special guest appearances at its April fundraising event by Olympic shot putter Michelle Carter and Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee. The organization, founded nearly 2 years ago by master athlete Myrle Mensey, aims to encourage young women to pursue a balanced life through throwing sports, good health and successful and positive lifestyles.

Always athletic, Myrle found her true calling in throwing events later in life. She competed in Senior Olympic events and then went on to compete at the Master’s level. Myrle has broken her own American record of 44'2" set in 2005 in the 16lb. weight twice with throws of 44'7" and 44'9". She also set the American record in the 25lb. weight throw in 2005, breaking it twice in 2006 and 2007. She is the recipient of the 2007 St. Louis Senior Olympics Helen Stephens Memorial Award for outstanding female track & field and the 2007 and 2008 Bernice Holland Award for outstanding performance by a Woman Masters Athlete in field events.

Through a variety of activities that include coaching in throwing events, and academic and lifestyle mentoring, Throwing and Growing’s goal is to provide young women with a positive path to academic and athletic success.

To learn more about Throwing and Growing, visit www.throwingandgrowing.org or call 314.650.1008.