John Carroll’s Osking commits to USF

Posted Feb 13, 2011 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 13, 2011 at 09:45 PM

Fort Pierce John Carroll senior Justin Osking, a state champion in both the shot put and discus, has made a verbal commitment to the University of South Florida.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Osking is one of the state’s most technically accomplished throwers. He has been competing in the discus and shot put at a national level since middle school, when he competed locally for coach Mike Zelazo and the Seffner Track Club.

Osking was considering offers from Mississippi State, Miami and Florida State but said he picked USF for the school’s proximity to his family, its academic choices, outstanding track and field facility and throws coach Toby Colyer.

“USF has a lot of things going for it,” Osking said. “It’s close to home, their track is great and I really got along well with coach Colyer. This felt like the right decision.”

Despite being the starting quarterback for John Carroll, Osking said he will be limiting his athleticism to track and field only at USF. He sustained a serious knee injury while playing football in September, underwent successful surgery to repair the damage in November and is back in the discus and shot circle preparing for the start of his senior season, which begins this week.

Osking was last season’s Class 1A state champion in the shot put at 55 feet, 5 inches, winning by nearly a half foot. Had he not fouled out in the discus during district competition, he likely would have won that event, too. He was the 2009 Class 2A state champ in the discus at 178-3 and has been the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers All-Area Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year the past two seasons. Osking’s personal records are 57-6 and 182-3 in the two events. He hopes to take 1A state crowns in both this spring, then head to USF.

Photo: Alex Boerner/TCPalm.com