For the next week leading up to the New Balance Nationals, March 14-16, at the Armory in New York City, MileSplit RI will feature a top R.I. athlete who will be making the trip to the Big Apple to compete against the nation’s best.
Below is a Q & A with Barrington High junior Adam Kelly, the R.I. state champion and the No. 1 thrower in the country in the 25-pound weight. Adam credits coach Bob Gourley and former teammate and last year's state titlists Charlie Ionata as big influences on his success.
Q. You have been amazingly consistent all season long with all your throws in the 70-foot range, highlighted by your personal best of 79-1.25 at the New England Weight Throw Championships on Feb. 25. What do you attribute your consistency to?
Adam: I mostly attribute this consistency to my coach and the way we train. Coach Gourley is one of the best coaches in the nation, which leads to not only consistent technique, but also his advice during a competition can often get a good result on an overall rough day. In addition, we have a massive collection of hammers and weights, meaning that we can have really efficient sessions getting around 45-50 throws in about an hour and a half to two hours with a wide variety of focuses due to the range of implements. This really lets us get a lot of technical throws and competitive throws in one practice session. That has probably been the biggest factor, along with quitting soccer this year and training throughout the fall in preparation for indoor. Having been to almost all of the meets I attended this year, last year as a sophomore has also helped, as I have an idea of what to expect almost every meet.
Q. You have been the top weight-thrower in the country for nearly all of the indoor season. How do you do to get yourself mentally prepared for a big-time event such as the nationals?
Adam: Throughout the year, I try to prepare myself by developing and finding a good mental state for every meet, as well as to compete in a variety of different environments at the large number of invitationals. Probably most important was throwing at the Armory Collegiate Invitational, it’s the same facility and similar atmosphere as nationals, and I threw a big PR and had a great day there, so I’m extremely excited to see what I can do at Nationals.
Q: For the first two years of your high school career, you have had the benefit of training with former teammate and last year’s state titlist Charlie Ionata, who was sixth at the nationals in 2013. Talk about the influence that Charlie has had on you as a thrower?
Adam: He’s had a tremendous influence on me; I’ve gained a large amount from him. Just being able to have him at every practice to aspire for and to use as motivation has made a large difference, and I think that without him, it would have been much more difficult to be at this level without watching him be at it first.
Q. Any superstitions? Anything you need to whenever you compete?
Adam: I generally try to just have the same routine for every meet, I always have a shirt to wear on top of my throwing uniform when I’m not throwing so when I’m in my uniform, I can more consistently get into a competition mindset. Also, the night before every big meet, I wash the bottoms of my throwing shoes.
Q. You’re the No. 1 seed and favorite to win the weight throw this winter. How would it feel to be standing on the top of that podium?
Adam: Being on top of that podium would be years of dreaming becoming reality. Out of all of the other goals I set for myself this season, nationals was on the top of that list, and I would be beyond ecstatic if this season were to finish like that. Last year, just being there was an amazing experience; to win it would be one I can’t even imagine
Now, some general questions
Q. Favorite track & field athlete?
Adam: Gerd Kanter, just because my mother’s side of the family still lives in Estonia, and he’s also one of the best discus throwers of all time.
Q: Favorite TV show?
Adam: I don’t watch much TV, but when I have, Game of Thrones is always amazing
Q: Favorite food?
Adam: Lasagna, but there are numerous close seconds.
Q: Favorite school subject?
Adam: Math
Q: Besides track and field, what are your other interests?
Adam: I used to play soccer, up until this past year, so I still follow that and play occasionally, and I’m also very involved on the math team, as well as the jazz ensemble.
Finally…
Q. What is something others may not know about you?
Adam: Anyone who has trained with me a decent bit knows this: I love bright colors, I wear something neon to practice almost everyday.