Nitro’s Drew Moorman (right) sets a personal record of 15-01 ½ in the Class AAA boys shot put on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in the Tudor’s Biscuit World ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Relays at University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Stadium at Laidley Field. Nitro boys field event coach Wayne Phillips is shown watching Moorman throw.
Nitro’s Drew Moorman (right) sets a personal record of 15-01 ½ in the Class AAA boys shot put on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in the Tudor’s Biscuit World ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Relays at University of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Stadium at Laidley Field. Nitro boys field event coach Wayne Phillips is shown watching Moorman throw.
Nitro’s Drew Moorman could feel out of place at the Wildcats’ track and field practices, but it’s where he belongs and his coaches wouldn’t have it any other way.
Moorman, a self-described nerd who loves reading and learning more than sports — other than track and field — would be the first to tell you he only tried out for Nitro’s track and field team to escape the depression of losing his eyesight at age 11 following an illness.
He soon found out that the sport was more than just showing up to run, even in middle school.
“I wanted to run the 100 meters,†Moorman said. “I tried out and decided, no.â€
The experiment with track and field didn’t end though. Moorman was soon guided by Nitro throwing coach Wayne Phillips to the field events where he initially began throwing both discus and shot put.
Since his freshman year, Moorman has only thrown the shot, and at the Tudor’s Biscuit World ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Relays he tossed a personal best 15-01.
“It was glorious,†Moorman said of that throw. “This has been one of my worst years, but my body was just on autopilot.â€
Phillips must guide Moorman to the ring where he positions him in the center with his back turned to the direction in which he must throw. Being blind prevents Moorman from getting the spinning windup other throwers can get so he must give it his best effort from a standing position.
“I get him into starting position and step aside,†Phillips said. After the toss, Phillips guides Moorman away from the ring. “He’s a great kid. He just has a positive attitude.â€
Moorman’s toss at the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Relays placed him 34th out of 34 throwers in the boys Class AAA field. However, he’s just as determined to put in the work to better himself.
Nitro track and field head coach Josh Pimentel said Moorman’s positivity is infectious among the Wildcats team.
“The guy is a rock star for us,†Pimentel said. “People look to him when they need to do the work.â€
Moorman, both Pimentel and Phillips said, never misses a practice or workout and gives his all at each event. Moorman said this season had not gone that well for him until his throw at the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Relays.
Athletic success has not changed Moorman.
Pimentel said at the team’s media day while waiting for pictures to be taken, Moorman had a teammate arrange a Rubik’s Sensory Cube for him so he could solve it until it was his turn to be photographed.
It took him two minutes to solve it, Pimentel said.
“I’m still that nerd,†Moorman said. “I don’t like sports. Except track and field.â€
Four surgeries to correct the damage done by the detached retinas proved unsuccessful for Moorman who learned his condition was permanent two days after his 12th birthday.
While he said he will never forget learning that day that his eyesight was gone forever, his determination to find success out of his comfort zone in the world of athletics still gives him hope for the future.
Moorman wants to be an engineer, but if he can’t do that he said, he wants to be a teacher.
“You can’t control the cards you’re dealt, but if you play them right you can still win,†Moorman said.
Rick Elmore covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-5122 or relmore@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ElmoreSports on Twitter/X.
