Stride for Stride: In the Circle with Ashley Holmes
April 3, 2012
We sat down with senior thrower Ashley Holmes to talk about her indoor season, her goals for the outdoor season, how she got started in track, and how she feels about her future.
Q: Looking back on your indoor season, how do you feel you did?
A: I started off well but didn’t finish as strong as I felt I should have. I posted good marks but didn’t place as high as I wanted to at ACC’s. In the weight throw, I placed ninth when I should’ve been top five, and in the shot put I scored (7th place) but I still should’ve done better.
Q: What are you doing this outdoor season to ensure that you perform well at outdoor ACC’s?
A: I’m doing the little things, such as drinking more water since we’re out in the heat now and I have three events instead of two. I’m also focusing on pushing a little bit harder on every rep in the weight just to get that little bit extra.
Q: Is it stressful having to complete three different events at a meet?
A: The most stressful thing is when you have to do all three events in one day like this past weekend in Arizona. The whole day Coach Hicks had to keep telling me “You’re almost done,” because you get so worn out. I was literally laying down right next to the cage. It’s more physically taxing than mentally because I know I can do it. The thought of it isn’t that bad because I know I was recruited as someone who could do all three events.
Q: Which event is your favorite?
A: The discus was my favorite, but it may have to be the hammer just because it’s cooperating with me more right now. I really enjoy how you pull the disc and how it flies, but I have been performing better in the hammer so far this year. I’m learning so much about the hammer this year from watching film and just working at it.
Q: You’re a little over a month from graduating, how does it feel to be in your last season?
A: I don’t really want to graduate because I don’t want to have to get a job. I don’t want to enter the real world yet because I’ve been doing track since I was eight years old, and it’s tough to think of doing anything else. But at the same time I think I’m ready to close the track chapter on my life and open a new one.
Q: How did you get started in track?
A: My mom pretty much told me, “You need to do something. You’re not going to sit in the house all day, and you’re not going to run up and down these streets.” So I got into throwing and I continued all the way through high school. It was during that time that I realized that I was pretty good, but I still hung around people that were getting into trouble and not doing the right things. My mom would always remind me, “That’s why you do a sport!” She also wanted me to do a sport so I could get school paid for, but mostly to stay out of trouble.
Q: Being a Miami Hurricane means
A: It means family. Coming from a different school, when I got here I just felt like everyone was connected. We’re all on the same page, and when we go on trips we all have fun on the bus and everything. I also think that if I didn’t feel like this was a family I wouldn’t be able to perform that well.
Q: Any superstitions or routines?
A: No. I just believe that if I go out there and listen to my coach and try to focus on pushing that shot or spinning that disc that it’ll come for me. Every track meet I try to get better than the last meet.
