Athlete’s throw is 3rd-best ever at college

Tanner Christie of West Milford has a wide range of accomplishments in track and field.

He went from not being aware of the event of shot put to throwing to the 14.20 mark, the third-best record at Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah.

Christie, a rising sophomore, said he could not have predicted where he would be today.

During his freshman year at West Milford High School, he was playing basketball during the winter, and his mother recommended that he try another sport in the spring.

He picked track and field, not knowing that he soon would fall in love with the sport.

He practiced and trained constantly.

As a high school senior, he qualified for the state group championship meet in three events - javelin, discus and shot put - and placed in all of them.

Eventually, he was recruited by Ramapo College.

When asked about his time there, he said, “It taught me to be humble.”

His college track and field experience taught him that he cannot be the best at everything but to put in the work to be the best he can.

Christie explained that he owes his achievements not only to his coaches, who pushed him throughout his high school and college career, but also to his parents, who were there for every meet, supporting and cheering him on.

He is leaving Ramapo on a high note. He will not be returning to school in the spring.

Instead, he will be using the strength and endurance he gained in college athletics to pursue his next goal: Becoming a police officer.