TOWSON, Md. - TowsonTigers.com caught up with senior thrower Shianna Smith after a first place finish at Bucknell's Gulden Invitational kept her unbeaten in the 20lb. weight throw.
The school record holder in that event, Shianna, who also has exceptional culinary skills, hopes to surpass the 60-foot mark before the indoor season and her career come to an end in early March.
The Tigers are back on the indoor circuit this Saturday when they travel to Delaware for the Thomson Invitational. Towson will be looking to three-peat, having captured the team title the last two years.
TowsonTigers.com: What sparked your interest early-on that made you want to pursue your track & field career by competing in the throw events?
Shianna Smith: “I wasn't always interested in track and field. I played basketball for six years and when I got older, I realized I didn't like to run any more because it wasn't fun. So ironically, throwing on the track and field team was the only sport I could do that didn't involve running. My Spanish teacher was my coach at the time, so it made it easier for me to transfer to a new sport because I had her support. Once I started doing it, I realized, wow, I'm actually good at this.”
TT.com: Whether it's the 20lb. weight, the shot or the discus - how much of the performance is strength and how much is technique?
SS: “In my opinion, I believe that it's 50/50 which is why we lift for an hour and practice for an hour. One is just as important as the other. Without good technique, it is very hard to do each event correctly. That's one of the main things that my coach, John (Govern), tries to instill in us because you can be as strong as the person next to you, but if you have poor technique, you have a greater chance of fouling out of the circle or the sector. On the other hand, if you have great technique and aren't very strong, you can only improve but so much. Eventually, you're going to plateau because you don't have that extra muscle to get the implement where it needs to go.”
TT.com: You will leave the Towson program as its record holder in the 20lb. weight and in the indoor shot put. Did you imagine four years ago those records would be within your grasp?
SS: “I never imagined that I would be holding collegiate records. I knew that I did my event well but I started as a walk-on, so my confidence wasn't at the level that it needed to be. I remember my very first indoor meet at Navy and it was my turn to throw the weight. After I was finished throwing and they said my distance, I turned around and said, 'Was that good?' I'll never forget how they looked at me in awe because a freshman had thrown so well. At that point ,I just thought to myself that this might actually be my main event.”
TT.com: Before the indoor season ends can you see yourself making a 60-foot throw with the 20lb. weight?
SS: “I definitely believe I can do that and now that you've said it, I'm going to add it to my list of goals. My sophomore year at ECAC's, I threw 59.2 feet, so I'm close and have the confidence that I can get those last 8 inches. So, I have until March 4th to make it happen!”
TT.com: Your ambition is to become a pastry chef and be the proprietor of your own bakery. Have you had any formal culinary training and what's your favorite dish to prepare?
SS: “When I was in high school, I was the first student to complete the culinary program and also competed in culinary competitions with other schools in my county. At 17, I was ServSafe certified, which is what every food service manager has to receive in order to run a restaurant. My plan was to go to Johnson & Wales after I graduated, but I still wanted to do track and obviously, culinary schools aren't known for their athletics. So I decided to put that part of my life on hold until later. My favorite things to bake are cakes because I can turn something boring like a cake in a pan into something as beautiful as a decorated cake.”
TT.com: Has attending Towson University met all your expectations both on and off the field?
SS: “Towson has been wonderful for me both academically and athletically. I take a lot of pride in how I do academically and the athletic academic support has helped me so much over the years. I don't know what I would do if I wasn't able to go into Michele O'Connor's office to complain to her about all my school problems. She promised my mom when I was a freshman that she would take care of me and she has gone above and beyond to keep that promise. Overall, when I graduate in May I will be proud to walk across that stage as a Towson University student-athlete.”
