Gateway shot putter sets sights on state medals, school records

By: John Phillips
Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 11:01 AM

When it comes to the shot put, Ryan Crouser is the gold standard. Literally — having won the past three Olympics in that event.

Gateway senior standout Dino Nadarevic isn’t quite in that territory, but his list of accomplishments continues to grow in the sport. And after a very successful indoor season, Nadarevic is preparing for his final outdoor campaign in Monroeville.

Mo Washington, who runs the track and field program at Gateway, has seen Nadarevic’s progress from the beginning of his career.

“He’s matured since starting to throw for us,’ said Washington. “He was tossing 30-foot throws at first. To see him now, it’s much different. His lifting process changed. I worked on his new program, and he stuck with it, and the results are showing after his recent indoor season.”

Washington shared his thoughts about how Nadarevic has shaped his upward path of success via both his training routines and his natural athleticism coming together in just over two years.

“His athleticism,” Washington said. “He only played soccer before he joined track. He didn’t understand the workload needed to get to where he is and wanted to be. I told him to work hard every day and you will see results. There are people across the state doing that to be better. He was 230, 240 pounds when he began.”

Nadarevic’s development in the shot put is especially impressive considering the fact that he came to the United States just seven years ago, having moved from Bosnia-Herzegovina in January 2018.

His parents had family in Monroeville, so they moved into the district. Nadarevic tried football in middle school in seventh and eighth grade, but when he moved to the high school, he didn’t participate in any sports.. In 10th grade, he was asked to try track and gave shot put and discus a spin.

“I just liked the sport in general.’ Nadarevic said. ‘I found it interesting. I felt the throwing part of it allowed me to reach new and longer distances that was most interesting to me and why I kept at it.”

Setting goals is just part of what keeps driving him, according to Washington.

“One of his main goals since starting this journey was to break the school discus and shot put records that are just over 60 feet in length,” Washington said. “He started doing drills on his own. He knows what he must work on to correct the muscle memory and get better.”

Washington also mentioned that he doesn’t have to say much for Nadarevic to know he’s in his corner pushing him.

“I try to keep my excitement under the radar, so he’s even keeled,” Washington said. “He’s not a kid who will get a big head, but he knows that when I’m coaching him and I say certain things, I’m excited for him. He wants that state gold medal. That will drive him.”

Nadarevic said he had two agendas for the PIAA indoor track championships March 2 in State College: winning gold and breaking the school indoor record of 61 feet, 4½ inches.

“The outdoor competition is harder, which I’m happy with,” Nadarevic said. “The goals are the same. I think some people use the winter to train for outdoor season. More competition motivates me.”

Nadarevic will take his talents to Saint Francis next year, where his track career will continue.

“To see where I started just two years ago and to where I have come is a big motivator,” he said. “I love to compete, and I love to win and that’s what I plan on doing.”

Tags: Gateway