Video: Everybody Loves Nick Vena, Morristown’s shot put king

Who says the job market’s tough?

Nick Vena hasn’t even graduated from Morristown High School yet, and he has a job offer from the superintendent of the Morris School District.

To teach at Morristown High, no less.

At Monday’s board meeting, Superintendent Tom Ficarra told the shot put sensation to return in four years, after completing his full-scholarship studies at the University of Virginia.  ”The door is open and we’re waiting,” Tom said.

The school board honored Nick, whose final competition for Morristown is the Meet of Champions on June 9 in Old Bridge. The senior said he plans to take two or three weeks off from training after the meet. And why not?

Nick has made a shambles of the record books in his schoolboy career.  He won the shot put an unprecedented four years at the Penn Relays. He holds the state indoor- and outdoor marks for longest throws, and has exceeded 70 feet an astounding 90 times.

Oh, yeah, and he holds local records for longest discus throw, too.

Did we mention he also is a National Honor Society student with a 3.98 g.p.a.?  He even got elected Prom King last week.

So it’s no wonder that coaches, faculty and politicians sounded a little choked up as they piled on the superlatives for the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder who was nicknamed the Jolly Green Giant in gradeschool.

“Although he will be truly missed, he will never be forgotten,” said district Athletic Director Kathy Perri. “Nick Vena is one of the nicest, most humble individuals you will ever meet. Everybody loves Nick…he is very,very special.”

Paul Buccino, Nick’s coach, joked that his main duty was to ensure that Nick showed up on time for competitions.

“The nature of his character, in combination with his record-setting accomplishments, has enabled him to stand out as a role model for future athletes to emulate,” Paul said.

“We are all hoping to see the day when we can watch Nick compete with the letters USA embroidered across his singlet. He is more than worthy to someday have the opportunity to earn that honor.”

Chemistry teacher Barbara McNally described a diligent student who spends lunch hours re-taking tests he already passed.

“The hard work that Nick puts into perfecting his shot put and discus techniques carries directly into the classroom,” said Barbara. “Nick is a remarkable young man, the type of student every teacher hopes to have in class… a young man of high personal character and sound ethical values. Nick is the total package.”

Noting Nick’s aspirations to teach physical education, she added, “We would all be proud to be his colleague.”

Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, R-25th Dist., took time out from his campaign on primary eve to deliver a resolution passed unanimously by both Legislative houses in Trenton praising Nick.

There also were kind words for Vic and Michelle Vena, Nick’s parents. Kathy praised them as the least difficult of all the parents of elite athletes that she has known in her 11 years with the district.

Vic said his son is shy, yet he remains extremely coachable.

“They have an expression, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. When you lead Nick to water, he knows what to do.”

Michelle, a kindergarten teacher at the Alfred Vail School, said she and her husband worked hard to make sure Nick, their only child, enjoyed a regular childhood in between meets. They provide structure, she said, so Nick can come home from championships and hang out with friends.

Vic, a former shot putter, said Nick’s athletic feats continually amaze him. “I know how hard it is” to throw a 12-pound ball long distances, he said.

For his part, Nick likes to keep things simple.

“I just go out there and throw,” said the southpaw, looking a little embarrassed by all the attention. “It’s what I go there to do. It’s what I enjoy doing. The records just come .”

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