He also knows about the importance of giving back and passing on his knowledge to younger athletes.

A love of throwing and the commitment to giving back was the impetus for Roznowski’s inaugural Up North Throws summer day clinic on Sunday at Thunder Bay Junior High School. Roznowski hosted more than half a dozen athletes who came from Alpena, Mio, Curran, and the surrounding area.

“Being able to do things like this and give back means a lot to me,” Roznowski said. “I had some phenomenal influences, coach Jamie Bullis in high school, coach Larry Levine in college, really taught me a lot and I really enjoy being out here and giving to others what so many have given to me.”

Partnered with fellow Alpena alum Eli Winter, Roznowski put his clinic attendees through the paces in both the discus and shot put — some getting their first experience with both events and others coming in with experience ahead of their senior seasons.

News Photo by James Andersen Alpena alumnus and University of Michigan thrower Eli Winter, right, explains a technique to Alpena’s Aidan Weitting during Sunday’s Up North Throws day clinic at Thunder Bay Junior High School.

Winter, who just finished his freshman year at the University of Michigan, is a former high school state discus champion and competes for the Wolverines in throwing events.

Roznowski, a former state qualifier for Alpena in the discus and Ferris State University thrower, started in the throwing events as a middle schooler, ultimately finding his niche as a shot put and discus thrower.

“It was something where I didn’t think track was for me. I thought it was running and nothing else,” Roznowski said. “But when I was introduced to the sport I fell in love with it. It’s you out there and it’s the work you put in.”

Check out the video below. Viewing on mobile? Turn your device horizontally for the best viewing experience. Story continues below the video.

Sunday’s clinic focused on breaking both events down to the basics. During the morning session on throwing the shot, Roznowski and Winter showed the athletes every step in great detail. This included showing the athletes how to position their fingers correctly when holding a shot put, how to position their feet correctly, how to position their arms both before and during a throw, and where their eyes should be looking to properly align their bodies in preparation for a throw.

All of the steps — shown individually and repeated several times for practice — all added up to a six-step throwing process that meshes both upper- and lower-body movements; a process that begins with planting the throwing foot to turning the body and ultimately releasing the shot put.

Roznowski said Sunday’s clinic established a solid foundation for future clinics. With athletes from multiple schools expressing interest, both in future clinics, and in competing during indoor track season, Roznowski hopes to hold another clinic next summer.

“Each of them worked hard to implement new elements of technique, and we’re excited to see how it propels them to strong performances next season,” Roznowski said. “We had a great group of kids and a beautiful July day for our clinic.”