In an event that is quieckly gaining popularity, Emily Bernhardt has staked her claim to the number one spot in the land. The weight throw is an event contested in indoor track and field. Female athletes throw the 20 lb. weight in competition and the top thrower in the United States goes to Lassiter high school. Emily leads a crew of Georgia athletes that has taken this event by storm. With five of the top throwers in the nation, Georgia is well represented by a group of fine young atheletes and at the top of this group sits one Emily Bernhardt. GATFXC.com recently had a few questions for Emily.
GATFXC: How long have you been throwing the weight?
Emily: I have been throwing with Throw 1 Deep for three years now. I
started at the Florida Camp the summer after my freshman year.
GATFXC: Are you planning to head up north later this year for one of the majors?
Emily: This year I am competing in both nationals meets: NIN on Saturday
and NSIC on Sunday.
GATFXC: What goals do you have for outdoor season?
Emily: I am planning on breaking the national record this year in the
Hammer throw. I also plan on winning both high school nationals and junior
nationals to earn myself a spot on the junior world team. Competing in
Beijing is definitely a goal this year.
GATFXC: Have you decided what school you are going to sign with?
Emily: I have narrowed my options down to four schools. Being that I have
only taken one visit, I still have some thinking to do before deciding which
one.
GATFXC: What has throwing the weight done for you in terms of helping with your
outdoor events? Do you use it mainly as a training tool for the hammer?
Emily: The weight builds the core strength and speed I need to be a good
hammer thrower. Although the weight is my second best event, I do use it
mainly as a training tool for hammer. My ultimate goal is throwing the
hammer in the Olympics. However, I have a lot of work to do before then and
I\'ll do anything that will help me reach that goal.
GATFXC: So how exactly does it feel to be the number one ranked individual in your event?
Emily: It is very exciting for me to be number one in the nation, and with
that title I feel that it\'s about time someone else be the national record
holder. At one of the national meets, that record will hopefully be mine.