PennTrackXC.com' Don Rich talked with Becky O'Brien this weekend at the USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships after O'Brien threw 50-11 in the women's shot put competition, good enough for sixth place. The Maine senior now ranks U.S. #1 in her event.
Don Rich (DR): Why did you decide to compete at the USATF Indoor Championships?
Becky O'Brien (BO'B): It's the biggest meet I could get into now. I finally hit the qualifying mark two weeks ago. It was close, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to try to get my best throw against the best competition.
DR: How long have you been aiming for this?
BO'B: Ever since I hit 14.94m last summer. It's 15m qualifying, and I have been trying to hit that. As soon as I got it, I said we're going. I'm really lucky that my parents are willing to bring me to these competitions.
DR: Take me through the series...
BO'B: My 4th and 5th were a little off, but other than that, I felt really on today. I'm just getting over a cold, and it's huge to be able to come and throw well because I haven't had the strength I usually do. So I had to really buckle down. My technique has been good.
DR: The third throw (50-11, U.S. #1).
BO'B: The third throw, I actually misheard it as 32, and that was under what I knew Karen (Shump) threw, so I was a little mad. I didn't even know until I got in the stands and my parents told me 'you threw 50-11.'
DR: Your PR from last year indoor was 46-00. Last summer she hit 49-00.25.
BO'B: I'm moving away from that too, but I have bigger goals than that.
I had two five hour practices this week, so my legs are really, really tired. But I'm happy with it. That was all technique that got me there, so I figure once I get rest and get my strength and my technique, we'll see what happens.
DR: Last time your U.S. #1 lated only a few hours.
BO'B: I didn't want to check. I stayed off the web site that day until 11 at night, and I couldn't believe it. I'm so excited for Nike Indoor with Karen head-to-head. It's going to be a great competition. Last time I was able to get her by 1/2 inch for second place) at Nike Outdoor, so we'll try it again. She's a great competitor.
All the records from here on out are hers (in New England - Laura Gerraughty, now a UNC assistant, who was at the meet to see the competition) that I'm chasing, so it's going to be good.
2008 champion Jillian Camarena came up to me several times and said 'are you having fun yet?'