Success at the highest level doesn't come easy. For Bahiyjaui Allen, it is all about balance.
The junior holds the school record in shot put both indoors and outdoors. This spring season, she has achieved one of the highest honors a college track and field athlete can attain: a birth in the NCAA Outdoor National Meet.
Allen finished 27th in the meet in 2008 and then qualified for the 2009 NCAA Indoor National Meet in March. She has her sights set on a repeat trip to nationals this outdoor season and has already earned a spot in the NCAA Mideast Regional Meet.
It takes a lot of hard work and commitment
Allen said.
Allen concentrates on many things because throwing requires a combination of attributes.
In order to be a good thrower you can't just be strong. You have to have quick feet and you have to have technique
Allen said. Your whole body has to work together.
In throwing, technique separates the best athletes from the rest of the field.
For shot put
the biggest thing for me is staying back
Allen said. I have to explode through the middle
and once I hit that power position
just let it loose.
Bahiyjaui is very explosive
and she's good on her feet
so the spin technique works for her
throwing coach Nick Pero said.
Allen has a hard work schedule to build those attributes. Her average week of practice involves weight lifting, throwing and running.
It starts on Monday. She begins practice by warming up with agility exercises. After that, she throws shot put 30-40 times. She throws standing still, then from a half turn and finally from a full rotation. Then she heads to the weight room for a routine that especially works on the abdominal and core muscles.
I always do abs
