Chaput is the reigning IC4A and Heptagonal
champion in the javelin (Penn sports info) |
1. As the reigning IC4A and Heptagonal Champion in the javelin, what are your goals for the upcoming outdoor season?
Last year was an exciting year, as Penn won the Heptagonal Championship in the final event of the meet! One major goal is to help lead Penn to a third straight outdoor title. Individually, I would certainly like to retain those respective titles. My major goal for this season is to put forth solid performances in such championship meets, including HEPS, Regionals, NCAA's and USATF Outdoor Championships.
2. You also gained experience from last year's NCAA and USATF Outdoor Championships. What did you learn from those meets last season?
I learned that the anticipation and excitement surrounding these meets is incomparable. Yet, it is important not to get too engulfed in that excitement. Composure is the name of the game: Those who performed best at NCAA's and USA's last year seemed most relaxed. Last year I did not perform anywhere near my aspirations at either of these meets. However, my sub-par performances have been the biggest motivator throughout the fall semester.
3. With your personal best of 235'8.5" (71.85m) in the javelin, what have you worked on the most to improve on that mark?
This fall I have concentrated most on two main aspects of my training. First, gaining explosive and event-specific strength has been a big objective by means of a well-structured Olympic lifting schedule and an increased number of event-specific medicine ball throws. Secondly, my run-up needed a ton of work, and Coach John Taylor and I have been working to make it a smoother acceleration that can put me in a better position at the plant to use my entire body, especially hip-drive, to get more energy into the javelin.
4. Do you look forward to the Penn Relays every year even though it's at your home track?
To be honest, I have taken a total of one throw at the Penn Relays in three years of attending Penn. Freshman year I blew out the UCL in my elbow on the first throw of the Penn Relays. Sophomore year I was still rehabbing and sitting out with a medical red-shirt. And last year I was diagnosed with mono two days before Relays and told not to compete. So, yes, I still do look forward to competing at the Penn Relays, because in actuality, I've yet to compete at one!
5. What are some of the most important lifting routines and plyometric activities you do to prepare yourself for competition?
Besides Olympic lifting and over-head pulls, we have incorporated an increased number of medicine balls into the workout than last year. Other plyometric activity (jumping, etc) will range from high to low-impact as the season progresses.
6. How much has John Taylor as your coach helped you to where you are today in the javelin?
I've been very fortunate to have John Taylor as my coach and training partner. JT is very knowledgeable and passionate about the event, and is also a very good motivator and a fun guy. He has a great eye for technical flaws and is a successful javelin thrower himself. Having JT there everyday at practice has been a blessing; he's helped me immensely. The rest of our coaching staff has also been helpful, with head coach Charlie Powell, and assistants Jamie Cook, and Steve Walsh.
7. What are some of your favorite venues to compete at during your collegiate career so far?
Penn, LSU, Stanford and Navy.
8. How often do you keep up with how the other top throwers in the nation are doing or do you not worry about that?
I try not to worry about that stuff. You can only control what you are doing, so there is no sense worry about anyone else. However, I've made friends with a bunch of the other guys and I occasionally check up just to see how they are doing.
9. How has everything been going for you based on your preparation for the 2003 season so far?
I'm really excited about the upcoming season. This off-season has been my best one to date. I'm especially ready for the weather to warm up so we can go outdoors again and start throwing javelins instead of weighted balls, but I will admit its easier to train technically with balls sometimes.
10. What are you currently studying and what kind of work would you like to do once your athletic career is over?
I am double-majoring in Communications of Commerce and Psychology. I plan on applying both to PhD and Masters programs in I/O Psychology and various jobs in the business sector next year. If all else fails, I got a buddy that runs a frozen banana cart (Frozenana) in the summers; I'm sure he'll put me on staff.
11. Who has inspired you the most to be who you are today?
My father is the hardest working person I know. He has always been an inspiration in all facets of life, and I have adopted his hard-working character in everything I do, especially athletics.