AZ 2014 Track and Field Watch List

AZ Track and Field Watch List

Margot Kelly

Apr 02, 2014

Keep checking back to see who makes the Arizona Milesplit 'Watch List" in Track and Field.

Journal Questions:

Name: Jessica Shinkle (Jessica's Milesplit Profile)

High School: Raymond S. Kellis

Year of Graduation: 2015

Track and Field PR's:

Shot Put: 37'1"

Discus: 81'8"

When did you first get involved with track and field? How long have you been running:

I first got involved in track and field in 5^th grade doing shot put at our field day. I have been doing shot since 5^th grade and discus since freshman year but I didn’t get serious about track until I entered high school.

What is a typical training week like for you?

A typical training week for me involves throwing, weight training, and conditioning. I go in the weight room two to three times a week and alternate shot put and discus every day. I also run every day to keep up my stamina.

What are your goals for the upcoming track season?

My goals for the upcoming season are to place in every invitational I attend in shot put, as well as place in the top three at state. For discus, I want to at least preliminarily qualify for state.

How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race? Do you have any superstitions?

Before I compete, I warm up while listening to music to get focused. Then I just try to clear my mind and watch others compete. I don’t have any superstitions when it comes to competing.

What does your season look like and will you be competing in any out of state track meets during the season or post high school season?

My season involves competing in dual track meets with other schools and going to multiple weekend invitationals. I do not compete out of state or out of the high school season.

What message would you tell younger runners who aspire to be at the top?

I would tell younger track athletes who aspire to be at the top to always push themselves. I’ve seen so many people slack off in practice then not see the results they want because they don’t work hard enough to reach their goals. Always push yourself to be the best.

If you had to attribute your success to one thing, what would it be?

If I had to attribute my success to one thing, it would be the support of my parent. They come to all of my school events, athletic or not, and have always encouraged me to do my best.

Do you have role models or mentors in track and field?

I think my biggest mentor in track would be my dad. He did decathlon in college and held the record at his college for over twenty years. He always is there to help me with my form or when I seem to be struggling to improve.

How many events do you compete in and which event is your favorite?

I compete in shot put and discus. My favorite of the two is definitely shot put because it came to me very naturally.

What are 3 things we don't know about you?