Myerscough will be one of the favorites
this season in the shot put (Scott Bruhn/NU SID Office) |
1. You placed 2nd in the discus and 8th in the shot put last season at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at LSU. Looking back upon your performances that weekend, were you satisfied with the results and what would you like to work on?
At the time of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, I was really struggling with my right pectoral muschle (my pec major is severely torn). I felt I could have won the discus and should have thrown much further than I did. In the shot I was in a lot of pain and only took three attempts because I knew I wasn't going to be able to throw any further and was risking further injury. The weekend was not a fun experience.
2. You also placed third in the shot put and sixth in the discus at the 1998 World Junior Championships representing England. How has the transition to the United States been for you so far during your tenure at Nebraska?
I haven't found the transition to the United State to be difficult. Everyone has been very welcoming to me and I feel right at home here.
3. A former Husker standout himself, Mark Colligan has been the throws coach at Nebraska for 17 years. How much has Colligan and the rest of the staff helped you along the way not only as a student-athlete, but as a person trying to adjust to living in a new country?
Mark Colligan and all the coaching staff have helped me greatly in feeling welcome and a part of Nebraska track and field. I owe virtually all the progress I have made since coming here to coach Colligan. He has greatly improved my technique and approach to the event.
4. How much did your redshirt year in 2001 help you further develop in the shot put and discus?
My redshirt year in 2001 allowed me to really reinforce some new technical concepts. I found that some of the basic fundamental concepts about throwing in America differed greatly from those I had grown up with in Europe. I was determined to come back throwing much further than I ever had before, and learning to take on board these new ideas allowed me to do that.
5. How much do you look forward to competing against the likes of Christian Cantwell of Missouri in the Big 12 and the rest of the top throwers in the nation?
I enjoy competing against Christian Cantwell as we have a friendly rivalry and I hope we can push each other to great things this year. Christian is a great athlete and I expect that we will be competing against each other for many years to come.
6. At 6'10" and 330 pounds, you must be mistaken on campus many times as a member of the Husker football team. Have you ever thought about giving the sport of football a try and what else did you compete in before you came to Nebraska?
Every day coaches and the players ask me when am I going to come out for football. Coming from England, I never really knew anything about the sport until I came here. I think I could do it, but my heart would never truly be in it. Seeing them hobbling around the gym on crutches and in plaster casts puts me off a bit as well.
7. Entering this collegiate season, you will hold the top mark in the discus from last season. What have you worked on technically to improve on in the event?
I really underachieved in the discus last season and was capable of throwing much further than I did. I hope to remedy that this year! Hopefully Gabor Mate will be throwing again and we can have some good battles.
8. What have you enjoyed the most while attending Nebraska so far?
The steaks!
9. Is it hard to keep in touch with your friends and family back home in England and do you get a chance to visit them often?
I keep in touch regularly with my parents and friends from back home by phone and email. I only get to go home during the summers.
10. Have you ever given the hammer or weight throw a chance?
I'm terrible at the hammer! My fiance Melissa Price isn't too bad though. I have tried the weight and again like the hammer, I am practically useless. I have thrown 57 feet one handed with a discus style turn with the weight, but can't do as far with two hands.
11. What are you currently studying at Nebraska?
I am majoring in art. My main areas are drawing, painting and ceramics. My specialties are realistic drawing and hand thrown pottery.