Ciara Demarest of Williamstown felt like it was just a matter of time before she launched a big bomb in the shot put.
That time came last Saturday when the Rutgers-bound star sent the 8.8-pound ball soaring 42-11.25 to establish a big PR and finish first at the Freedom Games at Ocean Breeze as she climbed up to No. 1 on the NJ list and No. 7 on the national list for this season, and is now No. 3 all-time in Gloucester County history.
For her performance, Demarest was named the Ocean Breeze Female Athlete of the Week.
Demarest, who won the State Group 4 title in the discus last spring and owns a PR of 138-3 with the saucer, is hoping to capture the first Meet of Champions title in her career this season. Last year, Demarest finished fifth in the shot at the indoor M of C, and at the outdoor M of C last June, she placed 7th in the shot put and 12th in the discus.
NJ MileSplit recently caught up with Demarest in between workouts in the circle to get her thoughts on her massive PR, her quest to win her first Meet of Champions title, her decision to attend Rutgers, how she got started in the sport, and a whole lot more.
So lean back in your fancy recliner next to the fireplace or grab your favorite spot on the couch and enjoy our latest installment of Feature Friday as we shine the spotlight on Williamstown throwing star Ciara Demarest, who is one of the biggest stars in the state.
NJM: First off, congrats on your big 42-11.25 bomb in the shot at the Freedom Games at Ocean Breeze last week!!! What does it mean to you to hit such a big PR and move into NJ No. 1/US No.7?
The PR meant a lot to me and it was nearly by 2 feet. It was one of my goals to break my high school indoor shot put record.
Your shot put PR before last weekend was 41-0.25, so I'm wondering what you did differently and what part of your technique came together to improve by nearly 2 feet?
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I had a breakthrough earlier in the week and hit a practice PR. The practice PR made me and my coach, Mark Suk, very excited and it gave me more confidence in the circle. My first throw that day was already a PR by a couple of inches, which helped a lot. Then all I had to do was relax and throw.
I know every thrower strives to hit PR's at each meet and keeps setting new goals, so what is your biggest goal in the shot for the remainder of this season and for your outdoor season? What kind of number are you targeting, and what do you feel it will take to reach that goal?
My biggest goal for this season is to throw 45 feet by the end. In spring I want to through 46 and above. It will take many more drills and hard work. I have much room for improvement in my technique. For instance, I mainly use my upper body to throw when throwing is meant to be with your legs. Once that is factored in, I will hit my goals. I also want to end the season with over 150 feet in discus.
Every track and field athlete in New Jersey dreams of winning a Meet of Champions title, so tell me how big of a goal that is for you and what it would mean to you to win that prestigious M of C title?
Since I won states last year for the discus, my new goal is definitely to win a Meet of Champions tittle. Winning states was the biggest accomplishment of my high school career, so to get a title bigger than that would be so cool.
What do you consider your greatest strengths as a thrower? What enables you to be so great in the circle in both the shot put and discus?
My greatest strength in the circle is that I still enjoy doing it. Even on my bad days, I still put in many hours of work.
What do you love the most about the sport of track and field, and what specifically do you enjoy the most about being a thrower?
The thing I love most about track is that it's an individual sport. You only have to rely on yourself and how you train reflects your outcome. Even in relays you still have to do your part. The thing I love most about throwing is that it's always like a little family. Track isn't the biggest sport and throwing is the least loved events, so it's always good to have a great bond with the people around you. Until you become a thrower or know someone who's a thrower, most don't recognize all the work it takes to try and be the best.
Let's rewind the clock a little. How and when did you first become involved in the sport of track and field and how did you become a thrower?
My parents started me in track and field on the Omega Track Club team when I was 6 years old. My dad threw the shot put, discus and javelin in high school, and he thought I would be successful at throwing. I went on to win six medals in shot put and discus in the AAU Junior Olympics between the ages of eight and 12.
Have you always been a spinner in the shot or did you switch from the glide at some point. If so, when did you switch and how much of a difference has that made for you?
I initially started throwing the shot put by punching it.at 6 years old. At age 11, I used the glide technique. Last year in my junior year, I started spinning in November so the technique was very new. The spin is a very technical, and I am still learning.
When was your first big breakthrough moment when you realized that you had the potential to be be a great thrower?
My first realization that I was a good thrower was when I competed in my first AAU Junior Olympics at 8 years old. I was number one in the country for my age group, and I won the gold medal.
How much time do you spend watching videos of pro or college throwers, and who do you watch the watch and and what have you learned from watching them?
I love watching videos of Michelle Carter throwing, and her dad Michael Carter. I mainly watch my own videos and videos of drills to help me improve. Whenever there's a big meet on TV for any level, I tend to watch that also.
What kind of training do you do in the offseason, in the summer and the fall? Do you have a personal trainer or throwing coach that you work with
In the offseason I lift a lot with my dad's workout he created for me. This summer my teammates and I threw three times a week. In addition, I have also thrown with my dad and have received help from a great trainer, Coach Joe Napoli.
I know you are committed to Rutgers, so tell me what it was about Rutgers that made you want to continue your academic and athletic career there? And what do you plan to study?
Rutgers checked off all of the boxes that I was looking for in a college. My mom went to Rutgers. I was impressed by Coach Cocci, I loved my future teammates and the University's investment in their athletes.. I felt very welcomed at Rutgers and I'm planning to become a nurse.
What is the most impressive NJ T&F accomplishment you've ever witnessed, and what made it stand out so much to you?
The most impressive NJ track and field accomplishment I've witnessed was by Jada Puryear from Union Catholic High School. She threw her PR in the discus at the Meet of Champs last year. It stood out to me because I want to win the Meet of Champions and her PR of 155 feet 7 inches is my goal this year for discus.
If you weren't a track and field athlete, what sport would you be playing?
I played basketball, volleyball, and did competitive cheerleading. I think I would still be doing volleyball and competitive cheerleading.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I hope to be training for the Olympics and working as a Nurse Practitioner.
What advice would you give to younger throwers who are just starting out in the sport?
My advice to younger throwers would be to make sure you put in the hours of work it takes. Keep working hard even when it's extremely frustrating, always have fun.
