Opposing coaches join record-setting Raven Saunders' drive to raise money for nationals

Few, if any, persons are surprised that Raven Saunders, a senior at Burke (Charleston, S.C.), has raised $5,500 this spring in order to compete in the USA Junior Track & Field Championships July 5-6 in Eugene, Oregon. Eighty-two individuals or groups have contributed to her still-growing GoFundMe.com website.

It's the origin of some of the contributions that makes Saunders' story all the more special.

An opposing coach, Tony Colizzi of Bishop England (Charleston, S.C.), was one of the first people to jump on Saunders' bandwagon and help the shot put dynamo get her chance at the national spotlight.

He told MaxPreps, "I just felt like it was the right thing to do. Obviously, she needed the money. She's a great kid. I had a couple of parents who had kids who threw against her. She always was willing to help others. I emailed parents and they just said, 'Who do we write the check to?' It just started to flow in."



If Saunders places first or second in that meet in Oregon, she will qualify for the World Juniors two weeks later with all expenses paid. It would be another chance for the nation to see the indoor and outdoor national record holder. In March she set the indoor record with a throw of 56 feet, 7 1/2 inches. Then in April she established an outdoor record with a heave of 56-8 1/4.

Last Saturday, the 5-foot-5 superstar smashed the state record in the shot put by claiming the Class AA title with a toss of 55-8 1/4. She also easily won the discus (which she rarely even practices) at 148-05.

Another area coach, Harris Cabaniss of Woodland (Dorchester, S.C.), contributed to Saunders' trip in a different way.

He noted, "I helped promote her needs at the region and lower state meets. She's an inspiration for all our girl throwers. A lot of teams around here look to her. She carries herself so well and is very humble. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty and rake the pits. She will make us (the state of South Carolina) look so great."

Frankie Mansfield of the Moultrie News gave a writer's viewpoint.

He pointed out, "It's an outstanding story. She's just that kind of person. She's always helping out and never has that kind of ego about her. When you really know her and the kind of connection she has in her community (it's not that surprising the amount of money she has raised)."



Saunders' own coach, Herbert Johnson, wasn't surprised by the outpouring of love.

"She's a hard worker and likes to laugh," he said. "She likes to help other girls. She'd help anyone who's out there. Many of those people (donors) don't even know her."

The personable Saunders might be a coach some day. She explained, "Once they (other throwers) got a better understanding of what I did, they trusted and respected my knowledge. I was willing to give it to you if you asked for it. Sometimes it just goes better if you hear it from a peer rather than a coach."

The money came in slowly at first, but she never lost her faith. Two hours after she reached her goal of $5,000 she posted a "thank you" on Facebook and YouTube.

The Southern Illinois University signee, who carries a 3.0 GPA, also has played volleyball, basketball and base drum in the band. Her most interesting - and probably most revealing - non-track activity, however, was wearing the Bulldog suit as the school mascot.

"Everybody loved me being the Bulldog, just because of my intensity," she said proudly.



This has been an incredible spring for Saunders, who blossomed big-time following a disappointing junior year.

She won the state shot put championship as a freshman and sophomore, with her best throw being 42-5. Though she repeated as a junior her top effort that year was only 39-6. This year coach Johnson switched her technique from glide to the more difficult rotation and the rest is history.

Johnson explained, "She's very fast through the circle. That's what generates a lot of her power. She understands and hits her positions very well. She's very smart and has good technique."

Because Saunders was using a new style this spring, she was not anticipating the type of year she has had.

"I wasn't really shooting for the national (outdoor) record - it just came together," she said. "Once it left my hand, I could tell it was going to be a great throw. I just heard the crowd's reaction. It was a great feeling. I watched it land later (on video)."

Still mastering her new technique, the powerful teenager may set some more records this summer.



Tony Colizzi probably best summed it up when he noted, "The sky is the limit for her as much as she has improved. She's got definite Olympic potential in her future."