Most sports that involve a ball typically use one designed to optimize the athlete’s performance. This isn’t true for Allan Hancock College track star and shot put thrower Kelly Jarrett’s sport. For her, the eight-pound sphere of metal is the competition.
The freshman’s performance has been quite impressive in throwing, discus, and her favorite event: shot put. She recently placed sixth for discus and fifth for shot put at the Southern California regional in San Diego. Her performance qualified her to compete at the California Community College Athletic Association’s state track and field meet at Cerritos College May 18 and 19, where she placed sixth in the state in shot put and 11th in the discus.
Jarrett said she was feeling weak and “it was just a bad day.” However, she didn’t let that affect her for the shot put competition the next day. In fact, she used it as motivation.
“I felt really confident and focused going into the shot put competition because I didn’t do too well at the discus the day before. So I was really focused in doing better at the shot put,” she said.
During the event, Jarrett beat her personal record distance of 40 feet, 11 inches, and pushed it all the way to 41 feet, 7 inches.
During the summer, usually a time away from intense training, Jarrett said she’ll be at the gym lifting weights and training and focusing on strengthening her legs.
“I want to make sure I don’t lose my progress I made last summer and be able to carry it over to next season,” she said. “A lot of power comes from the legs. It’s where the explosiveness comes from.”
She’s received a couple of offers from different colleges that would like to have her on their teams. The prospect is bittersweet for her coach, Louie Quintana.
“I hope we don’t lose her as a freshman, but if they offer someone a good deal, they should jump on it,” Quintana said.
Jarrett hopes to attend Cal State Northridge to continue competing in track meets, and is planning to pursue a degree in physical therapy. She also plans to work more with her throwing coach, Hanna Barca, who has helped her along this season with her technique.
When asked what the secret to her success has been, Jarrett responded: “I try to keep myself calm. I also wear a lucky pair of socks and a lucky sports bra.”
This article appears in May 24-31, 2012.
