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Track and Field
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Iowa State University Athletics
Throwers Finalize Preparations for Big 12 Championships
02.21.2012 | Track and Field
AMES, Iowa- The throwers on the Iowa State track and field team are in the final days of preparation for the Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday in the Gilliam Indoor Stadium in College Stations, Texas. Cyclone throws coach Grant Wall is very satisfied with his throwers' training leading up to the league meet.
“I'm not sure we have to improve,” Wall said. “I think it is time for our kids to just let their bodies do what they are capable of doing. I think we are ready to peak. We are pretty close to where we want to be right now.”
Earlier in the season, the Cyclones added an impressive freshman athlete to their roster, Christina Hillman. She is a seven-time Delaware prep champion and recently won the shot put competition at the 2011 New Balance Indoor Nationals.
“Christina was a national champion indoor in high school and a runner-up outdoors,” Wall said. “It's always a tough adjustment for a freshman. There is an emotional difference. I call Christina and Zack Richards “coasters” because they come for the east and west coasts. They have come to the Midwest and are meeting the physical and mental demands of training.”
Wall says Hillman's progress is in the numbers.
“I think she has done a phenomenal job for a freshman, Wall said. “Typically my people don't really take off until their junior year. Christina already had a four-foot personal best this year.”
Throughout the season the women's throwers have bettered some personal bests. Wall is confident that throwers like Hayli Bozarth will perform exceptionally at the conference meet, despite two of her top peers redshirting the indoor season.
“On the woman's side we should do pretty well with Hayli in the weight throw,” Wall said. “We can score some points, despite redshirting Laishema Hampton and Danielle Frere. I expect good things out of them at the USA Indoor Championships this weekend in Albuquerque, N.M.”
The Iowa State men's throwers continue to improve as they gain more experience and training.
“I'm really satisfied with the men,” Wall said. “We're much younger than on the woman's side. We're just looking to get some more experience. We're taking Zack Richards and Collin Fett in the weight throw. Both are probably in the top 10 in the conference. If we can be consistent we can score some points.”
Wall says his athletes benefited for traveling to New York earlier this month.
“I think that was a huge help being in a different environment and getting on a plane. I don't think we can do anything more than what we've already done to throw well this weekend.”
“I'm not sure we have to improve,” Wall said. “I think it is time for our kids to just let their bodies do what they are capable of doing. I think we are ready to peak. We are pretty close to where we want to be right now.”
Earlier in the season, the Cyclones added an impressive freshman athlete to their roster, Christina Hillman. She is a seven-time Delaware prep champion and recently won the shot put competition at the 2011 New Balance Indoor Nationals.
“Christina was a national champion indoor in high school and a runner-up outdoors,” Wall said. “It's always a tough adjustment for a freshman. There is an emotional difference. I call Christina and Zack Richards “coasters” because they come for the east and west coasts. They have come to the Midwest and are meeting the physical and mental demands of training.”
Wall says Hillman's progress is in the numbers.
“I think she has done a phenomenal job for a freshman, Wall said. “Typically my people don't really take off until their junior year. Christina already had a four-foot personal best this year.”
Throughout the season the women's throwers have bettered some personal bests. Wall is confident that throwers like Hayli Bozarth will perform exceptionally at the conference meet, despite two of her top peers redshirting the indoor season.
“On the woman's side we should do pretty well with Hayli in the weight throw,” Wall said. “We can score some points, despite redshirting Laishema Hampton and Danielle Frere. I expect good things out of them at the USA Indoor Championships this weekend in Albuquerque, N.M.”
The Iowa State men's throwers continue to improve as they gain more experience and training.
“I'm really satisfied with the men,” Wall said. “We're much younger than on the woman's side. We're just looking to get some more experience. We're taking Zack Richards and Collin Fett in the weight throw. Both are probably in the top 10 in the conference. If we can be consistent we can score some points.”
Wall says his athletes benefited for traveling to New York earlier this month.
“I think that was a huge help being in a different environment and getting on a plane. I don't think we can do anything more than what we've already done to throw well this weekend.”
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