Javelin thrower finds peace in God despite Olympic stress

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Cyrus Hostetler

Cyrus HostetlerBy Teresa Young

INJURIES are not unusual for athletes who train hard and work their bodies to the limits on a regular basis. But how athletes react to an injury can make a world of difference.

For Cyrus Hostetler, a javelin thrower from Oregon, choosing to see God’s hand in every setback has been key to earning that coveted spot on the United States track and field team competing in the 2012 London Olympics.

“My faith really helps me with so many injuries and competitions I have had. I really believe in casting Jun 2, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Cyrus Hostetler (USA) places fourth in the javelin at 265-9 (81.02m) at the 2012 Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field. my fears and doubts on to God and letting Him deal with that, which takes all the pressure off of me,” he says. “If I have an injury, I know He’s going to take care of me, push me past that and make me a stronger person. It’s the same thing with track meets. I know coming into it that whether I do good or bad, He’s going to support me.”

“My faith got me through a lot of adversity”

Trusting God has seen Hostetler through a track and field career that began in high school in Newberg, Ore., where he lettered in three other sports and didn’t pick up the javelin until his senior year. He placed third at the state meet, then placed fifth at the US Junior Nationals.

He started his collegiate career at Weber State where he tore a ligament in his elbow during that freshman year.

Hostetler then transferred to Lane Community College and competed in basketball as well as track. After earning an associate’s degree, he finished his education at the University of Oregon, breaking a school and Pac-10 record during his senior year. After winning the Pac-10 championship in javelin and taking fourth at the NCAA Championships, Hostetler suffered a major knee injury. He recovered to repeat the Pac-10 win the next season but missed the NCAA finals. At the 2010 USA Championships, he placed ninth after sustaining another injury to the same knee, ending his college career but finishing his degree in graphic design.

But Hostetler remained steadfast in trusting God and letting Him work in his life. At the 2011 Pan American Games, his throw of 269’10” earned a silver medal and hit the Olympic standard, earning him a trip to the Games in London.

“My faith has definitely got me through a lot of adversity on the field throwing. (Injuries) are a time for a lot of athletes to doubt their faith, wonder what’s going on and question God,” he says. “I took the opposite road of that, saying, ‘God is using this and will make me stronger. God’s going to get me through this.’ Instead of straying away from Him I tended to lean more on Him.”

“I am fortunate for the problems I’ve had”

That foundation of faith was built as a child, raised by Christian parents who took him to church regularly. But his college years were monumental, helping him to realize how vital God was to his life now that he was away from home and family.

“That’s when I started leaning on Him and when things started to change in my life. I got involved with a few programs in college and that helped me grow and deal with everyday situations in life: with patience, with problems, with school, with athletics,” he says. “It helped me grow into the man I am today and a better person.”

Growth also came in those times of pain, though he wasn’t excited about them at the time.

“I can see it now, coming back from my injuries, that there was really no other way for God to teach me some of the things that He did and grow me into the person I am today without me having some of the problems that I did,” he says. “I am really fortunate for the problems I’ve had and fortunate that God has gotten me through it.”

While the pressure of the Olympics is heavy, Hostetler believes the Olympic Trials were more stressful as athletes struggle to just make the team. To cope, he focused on maintaining a routine and not letting himself get anxious about the coming meet, preferring to enjoy each day and the experience. But at the Games, that is hard to do since athletes’ schedules are totally different. Staying busy at the Village by attending other events like gymnastics and swimming, but staying rested as well, has been key to making the most of his first Olympic experience and preparing for the worldwide stage.

“I’m here to give glory to God”

Like many athletes, Hostetler has made use of social media platforms to share his faith and encourage others. He maintains a blog on the website (www.cyrushostetler.com) which he designed, and he uses Facebook and Twitter as well, aiming to reach as many as possible.

“I want to show people I’m not here for me; I’m here to give glory to God,” he says. “I give the glory to Him because He’s the one that gives me the talent and the opportunity to be here.”

As for the elusive medal podium, Hostetler isn’t stressing out over that either.

“There’s a passage that says if you ask anything in God’s will, He gladly gives it to you. That gives me a confidence in what I do. As long as I’m being fruitful for Him and giving this to Him, whether in success or failure, it’s always going to be a success for Him,” he says. “I know what I am doing is not for me but for Him, and that gives me the strength to keep on pursuing it and to know I’m going to be successful in it.” AIA Communications

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