Westfield State University sophomore Naloti Palma has greatly improved her speed and strength in the shot put circle. (File photo by Mickey Curtis)
When Westfield State University assistant track and field coach Junior Williams speaks, Naloti Palma does more than listen.
A sophomore thrower from Westborough, Palma always takes notes, using “whatever I have with me,” for future reference when she wants to put those words into action.
On Monday, Williams talked to Palma about completely following through with the shot put, after noticing she was releasing just a little too soon, resulting in a downward motion.
“I’m known for writing things down. I keep a journal, I also write poetry and my own quotations,” said Palma, who owns school records in the discus and shot put, both indoors and outdoors, at Westfield.
One of her quotes, “Success is reserved for those willing to fight for it,” was displayed on T-shirts worn by the girls’ track team at Westborough High, where Palma was the runner-up in the discus at the state outdoor meet as a senior.
A qualifier in the shot put at last spring’s NCAA Division 3 outdoor championships, Palma started the indoor season on a high note last month at Springfield College.
She was named Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference’s field athlete of week after placing first in the shot put (40 feet 4 inches) and third in the weight throw (41-8). Her shot distance qualified her for the MASCAC, ECAC and NCAA Division 3 New England championships.
Williams is impressed by Palma’s attention to detail and her rapid improvement in the weight-lifting room.
“When she came in she was squatting 135 pounds and now she’s over 320 and that’s one of the biggest jumps I’ve ever seen,” said Williams, the field events coach at Westfield State.
“In order to throw at your best, you need to have strength in your lower body as well as your upper body, and Naloti stuck with it,” Williams said.
“It’s pretty rare when a freshman qualifies for nationals, and although she didn’t make All-American it was a learning experience for her.”
Palma said being on the national stage was nerve-racking.
“I was completely terrified and hoping not to mess up,” she said, “but looking back I did pretty well. I was seeded 11th and that’s where I finished. If I get back there, I’ll definitely be more comfortable.”
Palma, who has lived in foster homes since she was 10, said that experience, in retrospect, “was a gift. It has made me more independent, more accountable for the things that I do, and driven me to be the best student and athlete I can be. Getting to nationals was very important to me. It made me realize again that I can achieve a goal through the work I put in, and that the coaching that got me there was effective,” she added. “I wasn’t that into lifting weights in high school but I’ve embraced it here.”
As a freshman at Westborough High, Palma played on the girls’ basketball team, but soon switched to track.
“It was just a different feeling. I felt I could experience success both individually and for our team,” said Palma, who set several throwing records at the high school.
“I remember my best distance prior to states in the discus was 114 feet, and I improved to 122. That’s what I strive for.”
Palma, who wanted to attend college close to home and also major in criminal justice, found the right fit at Westfield.
She even surprised herself at the first indoor track meet last season.
“I was hoping to be in the top five in the shot,” she said, “and wound up winning. I never thought it would happen.”
Westfield head coach Sean O’Brien said it’s customary to see Palma in the weight room or warming up before the coaches arrive for practice.
“We’re fortunate and happy to have her in our program,” said O’Brien. “Naloti wants to be an All-American and she has the talent and is putting in the work to make it happen.” – Courtesy of Westfield State
