Green is one of the favorites this year in the shot put for Kansas State (KSU sports info) |
1. After dominating an outstanding field at the Kansas State Invitational in the shot put on January 18, what are your thoughts at this point of the season in your events?
The win at the Kansas State Invitational was a great win for me, but I am never fully satisfied as I always strive for more. We've been training hard all summer and fall. So I expect to continue to get stronger and improve the rest of the season. It is always great to be challenged by peers, it puts a little more pressure on me to compete and throw far. However, I like to concentrate on my ability and what I can do. Some elements of the competition are simply out of my control, the venue, atmosphere, competitors, etc., so I try not to focus or worry about those things and focus on the aspects I can control, my body and mind.
2. Now that you have a guaranteed ticket to the NCAA Indoor Championships, what will you work on the most to improve in your events?
Coach Steve Fritz and my coaches in the weight room will help me maintain my strength and continue to get explosive. We will definitely work on the technical aspects of the spin, hitting good positions, and finishing the throw. Throwing is a while body sport, you have to make your mind and body work together to achieve your goals, so we will also continue to work on the mental aspect of training and competition.
3. With the loss of Austra Skujyte to graduation, how much did she help you during your time as teammates at Kansas State?
Austra and I were teammates, but Coach Rovelto coached her in all of her multi events, including the shot put. Coach Fritz is the throws coach so we did not practice together. As teammates we seemed to push each other, it was very competitive, but it always seemed to work out for both of us, and I learned how to handle the situation so that I could benefit. Having Austra around was a constant reminder to push myself, because one of my teammates was one of my biggest competitors.
4. Although the shot put seems to be your strongest event, what would you like to accomplish in the discus and hammer throw?
The shot put has always been one of my strongest events but I feel I am quite capable of throwing the weight, discus, and hammer and contribute to my team at conference. Shot put comes to me more naturally, but I have learned to spin quite well in the weight, I just can't time up the finish. I am planning on doing much better in my other events because of the full year of training in the weight room and on the track that I was able to have this past summer and fall. Improvements are in store, and with more time and continued patients, I expect to be successful in all of the events.
5. You come to Kansas State hailing from the state of Ohio. What was the main decision behind becoming a Wildcat?
Initially the college decision was very hard for me. It was hard to identify what I really wanted in a college program. I tried all kinds of evaluating and comparing. I asked a lot of questions and I had a lot of home visits with coaches from all over. I knew I wanted to be involved in a program where I wasn't the best thrower they have ever had. But I wanted a place where I could achieve my goals and become the best. After several campus visits and coaches visiting my home, Coach Fritz visited and I immediately knew that he had a program that was special. He had and has a tremendous energy and love of the sport. He has excellent knowledge of the technical side of throwing as well as out of the ring training. He didn't try to impress me with the typical "car salesmen" tactics. Upon visiting the campus at Kansas State it was confirmed, this was the place for me. It was a good fit, a lot like home, but not home, with a great college atmosphere. The football team and basketball teams were great, and the track and field program was excellent, and on the rise. Before signing day, I organized one of the most important decisions in my life based on logic and facts, but I had a feeling in my gut that I was to go to KSU. I had an intuition that Kansas State was where I wanted and needed to be. Although my parents had wished I stayed close to home and become a Buckeye, they are proud of the Wildcat I have become.
6. In 1999, you were the USA Junior National Champion and the No.1 ranked junior in the shot put. Of all of your accolades during your career, what are you most proud of?
My career in track and field has been a tremendous experience thus far. Hailing from a 12 year career in gymnastics, I was very familiar with the ups and downs of competitive athletics. I was eased out of gymnastics into track & field as a freshman in high school, and oh what a thrill it has been! From breaking the Division II state record in Ohio after only 3 weeks of competing, to USA Jr. Champ to Big 12 Champion, I am so thankful to have had such a great career. I would have to say that my proudest and most emotional moment would have to be regional championships, my freshman year of high school. I pr'd in both the shot put and discus (breaking the shot put state record one more time that year). I remember it like it was yesterday. The week before regional was districts, and I hadn't even thought I was good enough to make out of districts to the region meet. But I went and won both, as a freshman I made it to state in both events. At the region meet my coach put his hands on my shoulders, and said, savor this, enjoy the moment; it won't always be this special, hold on to this moment as long as you can. He was right. That's what this is all about, working hard, achieving goals, surprising your self sometimes, and being able to savor the victory. Winning the outdoor Big 12 title this past spring is a close second to my freshman year of high school, but only because I went from such a lousy indoor season, made adjustments (physically and mentally) prepared myself and came through in the end to win a conference championship.
Green looks for big marks in the discus this season as well (KSU sports info) |
7. There are many athletes who dream to compete and succeed at the highest collegiate level. Describe the experience of competing at the NCAA Championships.
Competing at the NCAA Championships is quite an experience. It is the place many dream of, competing among the best in the country in their respective events. I enjoy it because it's the next level; to be competitive at the national level is what I strive for. I don't only want to make it to the meet; I am there to contend for the title. Becoming an all-American is a great honor, something no one can take away from you.
8. What are your thoughts on the new NCAA regional format to be installed this year?
The new regional format is going to be different, that's for sure. It will be more like high school. But it will force competitors to perform on that given day. I am not familiar for all of the reasons they decided to implement this sort of system, but they've done it, it passed and we will just have to go about approaching the outdoor season a little differently so as to accomplish my goals.
9. How much has head coach Cliff Rovelto and the rest of the Wildcat coaching staff influenced you during your collegiate career so far?
Coach Rovelto is a great leader by keeping the team together, while focusing on our personal goals to help the team achieve their goals. Even though I don't train with him, he makes cretin I know he is concerned with my training and supportive of me as an athlete and team member. He has remained confident in my throughout injuries and slow seasons and lends an ear and advice when necessary. On the other hand I have worked with Coach Fritz every day; Fritz is a great person to work with. He encourages me to be self confident and trust in my ability. But at the same time he's open to ideas and the emotions of others. Coach respects his athletes, and in return that gives me great respect for him. His personality, determination, creativity, and humor keeps us working hard every day. All these attributes of Fritz as a person and coach allows me to remain focused on small obtainable goals, as well as looking at the big picture down the road. Coach fritz once told me that wherever it is that I want to go, he has already been there, and his experiences will help me through my strive for success. He gives each athlete undivided attention, eyeball to eyeball, when we are discussing something; he concentrates on what I have to say. He makes me feel like what I have to say important, and I know he will do anything to help me succeed. What he has taught me will go way beyond the barriers of the ring, it will say with me in life.
10. What is the most important thing you focus on when you enter the ring during competition?
Just before I step in to the ring, I think of a few key technical terms I want to accomplish on that throw. But I am careful not to think of too much. Distractions can greatly inhibit the performance on that throw. I stay focused on me and the ball, and putting all my energy into the ball. When I am successfully doing this, I hear nothing and see nothing outside of me and the ball. I just concentrate on me and the ball and what a good combination we make.
11. When you are away from the track, what do you enjoy the most in your spare time?
In my "spare" time I enjoy watching movies. I also read a lot of motivational books. I enjoy the other athletic events here at KSU, by cheering them on at their competitions. Our women's basketball team is awesome and fun to watch. I enjoy the football and volleyball games as well.