This past year has been quite the journey for Dominik Kosar.

The St. Joe’s junior arrived in Kenmore this past summer, moving to the United States from the Czech Republic. His family wanted Kosar to go to school in America. His father was aquatinted with some St. Joe’s alumni, who suggested Kosar enroll at their alma mater.

Not only has Kosar been able to make the adjustment to life as an American teenager, he’s also made quite an impact on the athletic field.

Kosar joined St. Joe’s indoor track team after the start of the new school year. Kosar had some experience in throwing events back in the Czech Republic, so the transition was pretty smooth for him. Still, it was hard to predict just how good he would be.

Kosar is currently ranked No. 1 in New York State in the shot put as he posted a state-best mark of 55-feet, 2-inches during a meet in December. He’s posted other impressive performances in shot this season, including a 54-6.75 at the RIT Invite on Jan. 7 and a 54-7 at Lancaster’s Rock n’ Roll Throw-Off on Jan. 21. Kosar was second on that day only to Windsor, Ontario’s Jordan Young, who had a throw of 61-feet, 4.75-inches.

Kosar’s amazing season in shot put follows up his making the St. Joe’s football team back at the start of the school year. Kosar played on the defensive line for a Marauders’ team that went to the Monsignor Martin Championship game. He was a natural fit because of his large size and stature. St. Joe’s football roster lists him at 6-foot-7, 260 pounds.

It’s been an incredible ride this year for Kosar, but St. Joe’s indoor track coach Matthew Gow said there’s still room for improvement and much more to accomplish before graduation in 2013.

“He’s done an amazing job and it’s been fun to watch him grow and develop,” Gow said. “We first met him in the summer and the last four or five months he’s gotten better with his communication and trying to learn English. He’s been our exciting story this year.”

The goal now for Kosar is to qualify for the New York State meet with a top seed. Kosar will get his chance to lock down that top seed when he goes to St. Anthony’s High School in Long Island for the State Catholic High School Athletic Association Championships on Feb. 18. Kosar will be joined at the Championships by other Marauders looking to make a name for themselves.

The Marauders feature a mostly young squad this year. Among the best youngsters are freshman Cordell Owens and sophomore Alimayu Akono. Owens, a sprinter, posted one of the top-three times in Western New York in the 50 meters earlier this season in a meet at Lancaster. Akono set a personal record in the 55 meter at the RIT Invite in January with a time of 7.59, which was good for 34th place. He’s also impressed in the long jump and 300-meter dash.

All eyes, though, will be on Kosar and what he can do at Catholics and States. It’s possible he could close his junior year as a state champion in both the Catholic and New York State high school events. Kosar may also come close to a throw of 60 feet, a big milestone that Gow thinks is in reach as Kosar continues his development.

“If he keeps going, he can go 60 feet,” Gow said. “That’s realistic. He went 55 feet in December without a lot of work put in because he was playing football. He has that potential.”

email: mmigliore@beenews.com