Participating in the heavy athletic events portion of the games, Hebert, (right) 54, will throw weights for height and distance, toss a 16lb rock over his shoulder, hurl a 50" Scottish hammer over his head and, toss a caber.

Hebert does much of his practicing on an athletic field at Stanford University, where he works as a computer-support
specialist in the Beckman Center at Stanford University Medical Center. He also advises an unofficial highland athletic club on campus consisting of a group of seven or so Stanford alumni, graduate students, staffers and friends

Hebert ir reported to go out of his way to study the sport, talking to professionals and sharing YouTube videos with the group of the greats making their best moves. Hebert has also made much of his equipment himself, from hardware store lumber or found items such as the perfect stone that was lying around campus.

He used to participate in track and field events such as the discus throw but he enjoys the primitive qualities involved in highland athletics. "We're out there throwing rocks," the Menlo Park resident said. "One tree throws differently than another tree. I like that. I like the randomness, weirdness, (the) sort of historical funkiness of it all."

Although he isn't considered a professional in highland athletics, in North America Hebert currently ranks 11th overall in his age category and hopes to break some personal records this weekend in stone throwing and light hammer tossing.