Howells sophomore Jenny Svoboda is not your typical high school shot putter.

The state's high school all-time girls track and field charts are usually reserved for juniors and seniors who have developed the physical strength and taken years to refine their technique.

But Svoboda already moved into fifth all-time by unleashing a throw of 48 feet, 5 inches last spring as a freshman, just ¼ inch off the national record for a freshman.

Svoboda, who won the Class D title at state last spring with a put of 47-5, recorded her personal best of 49-4 in a summer meet in Geneva. The 49-4 was sixth nationally last year among high school throwers. Later, she won her age group at the nationals.

Some pretty impressive results for someone who says she enjoys running and that basketball is her favorite sport.

Svoboda had opportunities to compete in some indoor national meets this winter, but turned them down.

"That time is strictly for basketball,'' said the 5-foot-9 Svoboda, an honorable mention all-stater in Class C-2 after averaging 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and shooting 61 percent from the field this past season.

"I know my future is in track (as a thrower), but basketball is my first love. That's probably never going to change.''

Svoboda doesn't mind working out with the runners on the track. In fact, she was a member of the Bobcats' 1,600 relay in a few meets last season.

"I'm not a speedster, but I'm a decent runner,'' said Svoboda, whose best throw this spring was a 47-5 at the Osceola Invitational last Saturday. "I run at home for the fun of it. We've got a treadmill in our basement, and I'll run on it while I watch TV.''

As good as Svoboda is, she's chasing Omaha Burke's Michaela Wallerstedt for the state's top shot put honors. Wallerstedt, a Stanford recruit, won the all-class Gold Medal at state last spring with a 49-8¼, which is third on the all-time charts.

Last summer, Wallerstedt uncorked a 50-3½, which tied her for second nationally among high school throwers in 2004.

"Michaela is one of my good friends, and it's nice to have her there pushing me to do better,'' said Svoboda, who will not compete head-to-head against Wallerstedt this spring. "I've won my age group (nationally) every year, except the years I'm in the same age group as she is. She's always been a little bit better.''

Both of them will be after the state record of 52-9¼ by Becky Beachler of Fremont in 1997. Second on the all-time charts is the 50-10¾ thrown by Crete's Teri Steer in 1993.

Svoboda says, however, those marks probably won't be within reach this season.

"Those can wait until I get a little older,'' Svoboda said. "My goal this year is 50 feet and to make the national team.''

The U.S. youth national team competes in the IAAF World Youth Championships July 14-17 in Morocco.

Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.