12 Questions with Apresha Hampton

Apresha has picked up this season where she left off last spring.  She has a season best of 43-4.5 in the shot from the State Relays where she and teammate Rikeya Hogan to win the team shot put.  Last spring in the shot she was second in the North 1 Group 2 sectional, won the Group 3 shot title and was second at the State Meet of Champions.  In between the sectionals and group meet Apresha won the Bergen County Meet of Champions with a PR 44-8.75.  That win was her second consecutive BMOC title.   She is the top returner in the shot in New Jersey. 

1. How did you become interested in the shot and the discus?

In middle school during PE we had a track and field day.  We all took part in every event but my teachers were mainly focused on me trying out the shot because of my build and strength.  At the meet I broke the school shot put record and that record has lasted for about 8 years.
 

2. How old were you at that time? Did you do any pre-high school throwing?

I was 13 and I only threw that one time before high school.

3. Which do you like better – the shot or the disc?

I like shot just a little bit better because it is what has made me known in both New Jersey and the US.  I dont think anything can ever be better than shot; it's my LIFE!

4. What is your biggest accomplishment in your high school career to date?

I really don't feel like I have one because I'm never satisfied with my performances. If I had to choose it would be my back to back all-county (BMOC) titles or being all-state.

5. What do you want to do this year – a particular mark you want to achieve or a meet you want to win?

I want to hit at least 47 - 46 because I know it's in me.  Also, I would like to be all-county for a 3rd time and also win states and MOC.

6. It looks like you are about a month and a foot ahead of where you were last year. Have you done anything different to achieve what you have so far this year?

My entire way of working out is different.  I'm doing all free weights for one thing and at this point I'm lifting double the weight I was last year. I've also improved my cardio.  That's very important because you need it to have that speed in the circle.  Indoor season is when I get 90% of my weight lifting done. My coach likes us to lift every other day - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  He changes our workouts so our muscles wont get used to the movement and will stay flexible.  I MUST do 15 minutess of cardio before I step in the weight room. 

I lift one day for my lower body doing plate jumps, deadlifts, front squats, normal squats, front lunges, side lunges and back lunges for a certain distance using my body weight (sometimes weighted depending on the level) and glute and hams decline dumbbell curls.  Then I'll finish with 15 minutes of cardio. For my upper body I do military barbell presses, shoulder shrugs, bent over barbell curls, roman plate twists, good mornings, bench press power cleans, push press shoulders, press triceps extensions and bent over barbell rows.  I start and finish that day with 30 minutes of cardio.  When I work out I do a large number of reps and sets. That helps to keep my body from getting tired in the circle.  Also, having a young coach helps us a lot because during outdoor season he throws against us sometimes at practice.  That makes it fun; if you're not having fun you're not going to be able to continuously do the work that will make you a better thrower.

7. Do you think that field event athletes in general and throwers in particular get enough respect in New Jersey?

Yes, very much throwers most of all. People don't understand or appreciate how hard it is to be a thrower.  They just think we throw a ball or a metal stick or a frisbee (discus).  It's very hard for a thrower to PR from a thrower especially during indoors or if you're not mentally strong.  Track is a really mental and physical sport.

8. What is your favorite movie?