Pretty Girls Throw – The Shot Put That Is……
By Raven Lingard
When I think of the Sport “Shot Put”, weights and dumb bells immediately come to mind. I can picture a muscle built body builder that can push or pull a ton of weight. What does not come to my mind is pretty girls with hair done and lip gross on. As a female athlete myself, I want to make it clear that I don’t define myself or others by a hairstyle or makeup. However, certain images come to mind with certain sports. My goal is to change those myths for myself and others.
That myth is now been truly dispelled in my mind. After complete research for this article, I have been amazed that a couple of my friends who call themselves “girly girls” are active shot put throwers. Not only can they sprint in the 200 and 400 meter races, but they are amazing shot put throwers. According to Wikipedia, “The shot put is a track and field event involving “putting” (throwing in a pushing motion) a heavy ball (called the shot) as far as possible. It is common to use the term “shot put” to refer to both the shot itself and to the push”. Believe me the sports is not easy. For a good throw, you have to have good technique. Additionally, like other sports and activities, this sport also takes hard work and practice.
Pictured you see Hailee Morris, active thrower on the club and high school scene and a former National AAU Shot winner. Haillee is also an outstanding student. She was valedictorian of her 8th grade class. As you see, she looks nothing like my dispelled myth.
Then I met a young newcomer. When you meet Nia Lyles, you meet an Inspiring Athlete. Now age 10, Nia has a bright smile, “can do” attitude and amazing potential to become one of the best shot put throwers in the United States and World. Demonstrating an attitude of appreciation for her Mom and Coach, Nia is a regular 10 year old girl discussing the games they play on the playground and her best friends at school. Nia won the AAU Shot Put championship when she was 9 years old this past summer in Richmond, Virginia. This young lady is clearly a raising star in the shot put community. She understands that to become a shot put champion that it is going to take a lot of hard work on the field and off. The evening we met, she mentioned that she still needed to complete her homework. She has had challenges grasping some of the new techniques, but looks at all of them with great positively. She tries her hardest and is a great example of a young athlete that is having an impact on the girl’s sport world. She believes that with whatever you do you should have fun. Nia has a great support team that includes her: family, friends, teachers, and her mentor and trainer Ms. Myrtle Mensey. During our interview Nia shared that Myrle Mensey has trained her for less than a year but has taught her a lot about exercising and healthy eating.
Myrle Mensey is the founder of Throwing and Growing (www.throwingandgrowing.org), a St. Louis–based nonprofit organization that is dedicated to mentoring and physical training of young women ages 10–18. The organization, founded nearly 2 years ago by master athlete Myrle Mensey, aims to encourage young women to pursue a balanced life through throwing sports, good health and successful and positive lifestyles.
Myrle has broken her own American record of 44’2″ set in 2005 in the 16lb. weight twice with throws of 44’7″ and 44’9″. She has also set the American record in the 25lb. weight throw in 2005, breaking it twice in 2006 and 2007. She is the recipient of the 2007 St. Louis Senior Olympics Helen Stephens Memorial Award for outstanding female track & field and the 2007 and 2008 Bernice Holland Award for her outstanding performance by a Woman Masters Athlete in field events.
Throwing and Growing is having an upcoming Throws camp starting February 1, 2011. This is your opportunity to try out this amazing sport that teaches skill, attitude, and healthy eating habits and offers many scholarship opportunities. So if you think you can master the pretty girl throw, please contact Myrle Mensey for more information at 314 650-1008.
