BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
Rhyann Brown, a junior at Fort Hays State University majoring in Human Health and Performance, has made it a long way from her hometown of Osborne, figuratively and literally. Currently, the Women’s Track and Field Javelin Thrower is competing in California alongside the rest of her team.
Although Brown is in sunny California, her athletic career at FHSU has not always been sunshine and ease. Brown, just like the rest of FHSU athletes, puts in a tremendous amount of work to succeed in her sport. She describes what a normal day looks like for her.
“I wake up at 5:30 a.m. to go and complete a lifting workout. Then, I get home so I can shower and eat breakfast,” Brown said. “If I can, if I have the luxury of extra time, I take a quick nap before classes start.”
After classes, Brown eats lunch and then heads to a quick practice followed by another athletic workout.
“Some days, after practice and extra workouts, I head straight to work,” she said. “After work, I typically get home and get ready for bed by 11:00 p.m.”
On top of being a student-athlete, Brown is also a waitress at the Hays IHop.
Brown states that her schedule is pretty consistent around this timeline, but it differs when the team enters the competitive season.
“We cut our lifting days in half. Specifically, we go from lifting six days a week in the mornings, down to only three days a week.”
Brown identifies a constant issue that she struggles with: shoulder injuries.
“Since we throw all year around getting prepared for the season, it’s easy to overthrow and get hurt frequently,” she said.
Brown then expresses her gratitude towards her coach in relation to this injury.
“Luckily enough for us, our coach is very good about making sure that we don’t overdo it,” Brown said. “If I come in for a practice and I’m hurting pretty badly, he will help modify the practice so we can all stay healthy.”
Even though Brown is grateful for her coach’s flexibility, she still gets overwhelmed from time to time, especially during the off-season with early morning lifts.
“This year we had a morning slot for the weight room and 5:30 am comes fast every morning,” Brown said. “When the weekend comes around, I love to sleep in and catch up on my rest.”
Another challenge Brown battles with are that within this specific event: training all year long with a short competition period to follow. Javelin throwers start in early September and only practice/lift until the competition season begins in March.
“This is where the mental toughness really comes into play,” Brown said. “I have to make sure that I show up and perform my best every day at practice even though the season is still over seven months away as javelin throwers are the only ones who can not compete in the indoor season.”
Brown names this ‘mental toughness’ as one of the largest personal benefits that she has seen develop from being a student-athlete.
“I have strengthened my time management skills, learned to be patient, and realized that good things take time,” she said. “Throughout your time as an athlete, you learn that you have to trust the process and to utilize the mental toughness in order to get over the lulls, such as practicing without actually getting to perform.”
No matter how much Brown yearns to compete for herself, she manages to stay positive and cheer on her teammates.
“So, while you are sad and slightly discouraged that you are still only practicing, you are also extremely happy for your teammates that are getting the opportunity to compete in the indoor competitions,” Brown said.
What helps Brown with these moments of overload is by balancing everything by sticking to her routine and by reminiscing on how she got started with the sport.
“I have always loved throwing ever since I was little. It started out as the softball throw at mini track meets then developed into javelin during my eighth-grade year,” Brown said. “Since then, throwing is something I have fallen more in love with every day. Even on hard days, I’m still happy that I am able to be where I am and do what I am able to do.”
From a young age, Brown’s favorite aspect of this sport has been showing off her talent which she frequently mentions in a few of the different Bible study groups that she is involved in.
“He has blessed me by keeping me healthy and creating lifelong friendships with my teammates.”
In addition to her thankfulness, she also knows that she has to stay focused on her goals in order to complete the season in the way that she plans to.
Brown said this season she aims to head back to nationals, obtain a personal best throw, and earn a place on the national podium.
More student-athlete features can be found here.
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