(Photo provided by Allyson Weiss)
First of all, how did you first start doing track?
The first time I triple jumped was in 5th grade at an elementary school track and field day. I picked the one event that I didn't know what it was and loved it, so I decided to jump in middle school. The summer after 7th grade I realized that I had some potential in jumping, so I did summer track and ended up competing for the high school in 8th grade.
What are all your personal records?
My PR for triple jump is 39'1.75" and for long it is 18'2.5".
Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
I did just about every sport imaginable when I was younger. Other than track, I competed in gymnastics, horseback riding, diving, volleyball, and soccer. This is the first year that track is my only high school sport.
What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?
My favorite meets have been the State Meet and New Balance Nationals. My favorite State Meet was my 8th grade year when I was competing with my sister Jordan, who was a senior. It was the first state meet for both of us, and our last meet competing together. We both earned All-State so that made it extra special. New Balance Nationals has a very energetic atmosphere and it is at a whole new level. Some of the best jumpers in the country compete there and push me to jump farther and farther each year.
Allyson with her sister Jordan (Photo provided by Allyson Weiss)
Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?
Some of my favorite athletes to compete against are Michaela Baker during high school season and my Project Triple Jump teammates in the off season.
Who are some people that have been most helpful to you in your athletic career?
My family, coaches, and teammates have been most helpful to me in my athletic career. They have always supported me with my decisions, whether it was a decision to drop a sport to focus on other sports or to try out a new sport.
You don't do track events often, but have done well when you have. Do you have any plans to run more often, or are you going to still focus primarily on jumps?
I plan to run a couple relays this year and maybe some short sprints. In order to keep my body healthy this season, I will not compete in both jumps at every meet, so the meets where I do only one jump I will most likely run more events.
What are your main goals for this upcoming track season?
My main goals for this upcoming season are to jump 41' in triple jump and defend my State Championship.
I'm sure you are aware that jumping 41 feet would put you very close to the state record (which is 41'1.25"). What would it mean for you to be able to break that record?
Breaking the state record would mean the world to me. That has been my goal since I started high school track, and I've been training and working very hard each off season to accomplish that goal.
Do you have any college plans yet?
I plan to continue my athletic career in college, but I have not decided what my major will be. I have been visiting a lot of campuses around the country and talking to coaches, but do not know where I will be attending. I'm hoping to have my choices narrowed down by next fall.
What are the primary things you will be looking for from your college choice?
I am looking for strong, competitive academic programs and a well-known jumps coach and program. I am also looking for a coach who not only coaches good jumpers, but helps those jumpers improve their marks each season. Another important aspect of a college team I am looking for is a team that's not just a team, but a family.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
I have my meet day socks that I wear to every meet. I also eat pasta the night before every meet and eat the same meals on every meet day.
When not flying through the air at high speeds, or training to do so, what might we find you doing?
When not flying through the air or training, you might find me traveling or spending time with friends and family.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
I helped set the world record for most cartwheels done at one time.
What is the story behind that occurrence, and how many cartwheels?
A group of gymnasts from across Minnesota and surrounding states gathered on the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul in the summer of 2006 to break the world record for the most cartwheels performed at one time as a kickoff for the USA Gymnastics National Championships. We ended up having 932 kids cartwheel at the same time.
