Nathan Loe has some very definite long-term goals, like setting new marks in the Big Ten in weight, hammer and shot put events and participating in the U.S. Olympics, too.

That's why his signing a five-year athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois this week is so important to him.

Illinois is coached by Mike Turk, who Loe said is one of four level 2 coaches. Loe added he is already coached by Mike Judge, another of the level 2 coaches, the highest category for the sport.

Loe said having an opportunity to learn under two of the four best coaches available in his sport is something he couldn't pass up.

Loe said he and David Fraker, who he worked and competed with in Georgia, hope to strengthen the Illinois program during their stint there. Fraker began attending the school this past year and is setting records there as a freshman.

Loe expects the school will help him prepare for an even bigger challenge.

"Competing at the Olympics is my goal," Loe said. "I want to take this as far as I can."

Judging from his past performance, Loe has a lengthy journey in front on him.

The Woodland Wildcat has come a long way in a short time, not to mention his interest came about as sort of following the path of least resistance.

Loe said he became interested in throwing when he went out for track and field at North Cobb Christian Academy a few years ago.

"I noticed all the athletes in the running events were tired and breathing hard," he laughed. "That didn't seem like me, so I just kind of went on over to the discus throw."

Loe said up until that point he had seen himself more as an actor. That changed once he starting throwing.

He later started training under Judge and his career took off.

Loe said he also started muscling up. "I weighed 160 pounds then. Now I weigh 250."

Loe said that weight gain -- he hopes to add 25 more pounds -- is a result of the grueling workout schedule he undergoes.

"I work out six days a week and from four to six hours each day," he said.

Competing also has taken him around the country, including locations in New York, Boston, Idaho and North Carolina.

"It's been great," he said. "I've had a lot of support from everyone. Woodland has been just great."

"It's an adrenaline rush," Loe said of competing. "There's nothing quite like it. You push your body to its peak."

He said his sport isn't just about competing: "It's very competitive, but you also have a lot of camaraderie."

Loe has excelled in competitions, which are demanding. The boys high school hammer, for instance, weighs 12 pounds; the college hammer, 16 pounds; the high school weight, 25 pounds; and college weight, 35 pounds.

His marks should put him third in the U.S. for high school hammer throw and fifth for weight throw, his father Terry, said. He said his son made All-American three times last year in different meets in the hammer throw.

Nathan Loe also placed first in the first-ever U.S. Youth Olympic Trials held in Arlington, Texas, last year.

Tony Plott, his throws coach at Woodland, said Loe is an asset to the team in several ways.

"He's one of the best throwers in the county, by far," Plott said.

Plott said he's an asset also because of his knowledge and attitude.

"He's like having another coach out there," Plott said. "He works well with others. He's real quick to help other people."

He said Illinois is gaining a good competitor. "This is his passion and he'll do great for them."