Alyssa Wilson Breaks Under 18 National Shot Put Record [Interview + Video]

Alyssa Wilson recently broke the Under 18 US National All Time Record with the 3kg shot put. The record breaking throw of 18.33m (60’1.5″) is one that has cemented herself a place in shot putting history.

Video can be accessed below:

Throwers Unite recently had the chance to talk to Alyssa and her father Jamie:

1) What exercise do you believe has had the greatest benefit on Alyssa’s throwing?

Alyssa is part of her schools (Donovan Catholic) power lifting team , coached by Mark Deppen. He bases his program from input by the great Louie Simmons founder of West Side Barbell. She does a lot of the three basic lifts , bench , squat,and deadlift. With many variations thrown in with speed days , bands and chains on bars ect… If I had to choose one lift that I believe led to her current success I would say explosive box squats with about 75% max for quick sets of 2-3 reps. I tell Alyssa to think of every rep as if she is exploding out of the power position into the throw! You can’t just move heavy weights slowly and expect to throw far!

 
2) When you saw the throw, did you know it was a big one? The one that would break the national record?

As far as the 3k meet goes she was just coming of her state groups meet with the 4K shot and discus so energy was a little low. She warmed up with a low average throws of around 57-58 feet. This annoyed her and she realized her punch threw was slow so when it was show time she punched out an 18.11m on her first throw taking down the us record of 18.09. After that she was relaxed and had fun finishing with a certified steel taped measured mark of 18.31m or 60’1″ ! It was a fun day for her to throw the international weight of 3k.

3) What are the goals now? Any competitions coming up soon?

Her next goal was this past Wednesday at our state championships Where she took double gold in discus and Shotput , where she reset her own state record and us current #1 and USA all time every HS #2 throw of 55’3.5″ it is also a current #3 world throw in the U-20 rankings. We have a usatf meet today where she will throw the 4K , New Balance HS nationals next weekend and Usatf JR nationals the following weekend. She hopes to take down the current national all time 4K shot record of 56’8.25″ held by Raven Saunders. If it doesn’t happen , she still has next year as a Senior !!!

4) Is there anybody you would like to thank?

I would just like to say that her club throws coach Joe Napoli has been a tremendous credit to her success as she has a great support of school coaches as well along with our club team which is The Worlds Longest Throws Club.

We thank Alyssa and Jamie for their time and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming competitions.

Alyssa Wilson is a must-name to follow in the coming years.