(Photo provided by Amanda Anderson)
First of all, how did you first start doing
track?
I first started in the community ed program at the Middle School in 6th grade. My mom was in track and field in high school and wanted me to try it. She really wanted me to try discus, but I wasn't really interested in that until I had to try it at one practice and the coach Bruce Ewen somehow had seen something in me, I wasn't any good, but he saw potential and invited me to go to a practice with him and his daughter, Maggie Ewen. I had seen her practice that one day and knew I wanted to be just like her.
What are all your personal records?
155'9" discus at 2016 State Meet.
39'6" shot at a USATF Minnesota indoor meet.
Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
Yes, I played volleyball throughout all of high school, and I just started competing in power lifting.
What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?
State Meet 2016. My competition out threw me until I had 2 throws left, and my next throw I had a PR which ended up being the State Meet-winning throw of 155'9".
There definitely seems to be an uptick in the quality of throwers across the state in the years you've been competing. What has it been like competing in events that your competition has steadily been getting better as you have gotten better?
The better competition has motivated me to keep pushing myself and training even harder to be the best, I go to many camps throughout the year and get different perspectives from other coaches. I have met and trained with many other great throwers including other state champions, and they are what help push me because I know if I want to out-throw them I have to out-train them, and they are all dedicated great athletes as well.
Who are some of the people that have been most helpful to you as a track athlete?
My family, for one. My parents come to almost every meet and always have encouraged me and helped me be my best. Bruce Ewen, a volunteer coach who has really helped me learn specific throwing technique. Maggie Ewen, who was my idol and is an amazing thrower for Arizona State, has motivated me and shown me how all of her hard work has paid off and her success. And Kristie Ewen, her mom, comes to all my meets with Bruce and often brings me snacks and encourages me and acts as a second mom to me. My coach Mark Hanson is my normal coach and he always helps me at meets and encourages me, as well as going to coaching clinics and camps to learn how to help me to best of ability.
(Photo provided by Amanda Anderson)
Suffice it to say that Maggie Ewen is the best female prep thrower to come out of Minnesota. What was it like to be the person to "follow in her footsteps," and then work yourself up to becoming a State Champion yourself?
Maggie has the Minnesota state record, and I have always looked up to her. When I was younger our head track coach called me "Mini-Mags" because he knew I was following in her footsteps. I am so blessed to be able to keep the tradition of great throwers in St. Francis. I look up to her not only because she is a great thrower, but she is the nicest woman you will ever talk to. She is so encouraging and friendly and so passionate about her sport as well and has taught me many things I know. I competed with her a few years and I always saw her shake the judges' hands after the competition was over and thank them. Not many throwers do that but I saw her do it, and now do it myself. She taught me to be proud of the muscular body she has and the one I am working on myself. I hope I can follow her footsteps because it is an honor to be "Mini-Mags."
Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?
I know a lot of throwers in Minnesota because of different camps I go to, and one girl I have got to know is Alexis Hurst and she is a great shot-putter and will be my best competition this year, which motivates me to keep working hard and pushing myself.
What are your main goals for this upcoming season?
To win State again, and place well at Nationals in discus. For the shot put, I hope to make podium at State Meet.
(Photo provided by Amanda Anderson)
Do you have any college plans?
I committed to North Dakota State University for track and field. I'm not sure what I plan to study yet though.
What were some of the things that attracted you to NDSU as your college of choice?
I love the campus there. It is smaller, and I can walk from place to place. I really like the coach Justin St. Clair. He and I click very well, and he has been recruiting me for a while. NDSU also has some of the best throwers in the nation, and at one point was the best throws group in the nation, and I know you must train with the best to become one of the best and training with other great athletes will push me to work my hardest every day. I also really like all of the throwers there. On my official visit they were all so friendly and welcoming, and I got along very well with them and could see myself spending time and becoming good friends with them all.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
I try to stay away from these because if I can't do that ritual, or something happens, I don't want it to throw me off. Before I compete I hang out under our tent with my teammates and snack and socialize with them. I love my teammates and am happy to have formed such close friendships with many of them.
When not throwing heavy objects, or training to do so, what might we find you doing?
I enjoy deer hunting and bow hunting, as well as spending time outdoors and out in the lake with my family.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
I name all of my discs and shots.
What are some of the names you have given them?
My shot that I throw at meets is Angus. It has bigger diameter than the others, and the name Angus makes me think big things. There is also Oliver, a smaller shot. The discs started to be named by Maggie and her teammates in high school, and they all started with "J," so I named the new ones also with "J." My competition ones are Jack and Jackie. The other discs Maggie named are Jimmy, Johnny, Jeffy, and Jeorge.
