Interview with Arizona State’s Ryan Whiting

This Special NCAA Feature was written by Tom Borish.

TB: You’re coming off your third-straight MPSF shot put title with your NCAA automatic mark of 65-07.75 (20.01m). How are you feeling heading into the NCAA Indoor Championships as you’re set to defend your title?
RW: I am feeling physically and mentally well. The shot put in the US at every level is always deep and there is no exception for the NCAA, just as last year I have only respect for my fellow throwers, namely Zach Lloyd who has had an excellent indoor season. Overall i am ready to defend, it should be a fun meet.

TB: After setting the collegiate indoor record of 71-03.50 (21.73m) at the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships, it’s a performance that I’m sure is one of the highlights of your career. What have you done to improve your skills in the ring this season to throw even farther?
RW: I am constantly working on improving my technique and everything else that contributes to my throwing. I have gotten stronger since last year and have made some changes to my technique which should pay off with a little more work and good health. A good year of training can be destroyed if good health is not maintained. More than anything this year I am doing everything that I can to have a healthy season, which will lead to big things.

TB: What kind of injury did you suffer last season after the NCAA Indoor Championships and how long did it take you to fully recover?
RW: Right after NCAA indoor last year I was doing full cleans (no lifting shoes) and attempting 190kg (~420lbs). I caught the weight in a full squat only my left foot was staggered about six inches behind my right, which caused my left ankle to roll towards the outside. I suffered a bad sprain and a severely irritated Os Trigonum in my heel which kept me from throwing for almost a month. Right when I was able to throw again I contracted a stomach virus/food poisoning and lost about 12lbs in one day.

TB: I know your focus must be long-term, such as the outdoor season. How will your training change this season, if anything, considering this is a World Championship year?
RW: My training will be geared toward having a successful and healthy outdoor season. Like past years I will try to peak my training for the bigger meets at the end of the year such as NCAA Championships, US Championships and if everything goes well, World Championships. I hope the difference this year will be that I am healthy and as close to 100% as possible for those meets.

TB:As you well know, the United States is the deepest nation in terms of talent when it comes to the men’s shot put right now. Where do you see yourself in this pool of talent and why do you think the U.S. is so successful in this event? Does the national high school and collegiate system have a lot to do with this?
RW: There is no question that the United States is extremely deep in the shot put. This is due to the fact that there is a nearly unlimited talent pool. There are excellent coaches throughout every level of instruction in our country which results in a steady flow of top quality throwers. When I look at the high school level now I see three potential 70 footers in Steve Saenz, Mason Finnely, and Nick Vena and can see no end to the flow of quality. I can only see that future NCAA and national competitions will be even deeper and more heated than before.

TB: You described one of your hobbies as “knitting” and “exploring tunnels” according to the bio on Arizona State. I don’t think many shot putters would ever state this. What do you enjoy the most when you’re away from the ring?
RW: I get asked about those hobbies quite often and it turns out that they are both true. There is not much need for Knitting in AZ because it seldom gets below 70 degrees, but in high school I was taught to knit by a friend and in turn taught my mom. When not competing i enjoy cooking (and eating), reading and trying to relax.

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