Rusty No More

ALBANY – Three weeks ago, Nick Kahanic competed in a professional Scottish Highland Games competition in Arizona.

“I felt fast and strong,” he said, “but I was a little rusty.”

The Falconer resident shook off the rust on Saturday.

Competing in the Albany Highland Games on his 29th birthday, Kahanic won six of eight events on his way to claiming the professional class.

To make his birthday even more special, Kahanix was thrilled with the performance of his friend and training partner, John Emborski.

Competing in the amateur (200 pounds and under class) class, the Randolph resident produced personal bests in all eight events, winning four of them.

“It’s one thing to show up and do your best, that’s great,” Kahanic said of Emborski, “but to show up and do that in every single event… This kid has worked his tail off.”

Kahanic has, too.

Last year, a knee injury bothered him for much of the season, but he was in good form yesterday, winning the braemer 22-pound stone (42-feet, 7-inches): the 16-pound open stone (56-9); the 56-pound heavy weight for distance (41-10); the 28-pound light weight for distance (79-9); the caber toss (a perfect throw at “12 o’clock”); and the 56-pound weight over the bar (16 feet).

Kahanic placed third in the 22-pound Scottish heavy hammer (91 feet) and in the 16-pound light Scottish hammer (116 feet). In his only attempt in the sheaf toss – an exhibition for the pros – he recorded a 35-foot heave.

Meanwhile, Emborski won the heavy weight for distance (34-7), the light weight for distance (54-9), the 16-pound sheaf toss (28 feet0 and the caber toss (89 degrees).

“Last year, he competed in the amateur class and he was right in the middle of the class,” Kahanic said of Emborski. “He’s lost about 30 pounds and he’s absolutely killing it. He’s stronger than he’s ever been.”

Kahanic will be back in action in two weeks in Costa Mesa, California, where he made his pro debut last year.

“We’ll get to see how far I’ve come in a year,” he said. “I’m going to use it as a measuring stick to see how much my hard work has paid off. I’ve been working my tail off to get back in form.”