Throwing the Shot with Brandon Pounds (IN)

Feb 19, 2008

A name many of you may be unfamiliar with, but should start to learn, is that of Brandon Pounds. Pounds, a senior from Lawrence North High School in Indiana, currently owns the U.S. #1 shot put throw. His performance of 64-09.5 at the Indiana TC H.S. Open two weeks ago ranks him over a foot above his closest competition. Check out what Brandon has to say, touching on his early season success, his college choice and his training methods.

MileSplit US National Shot Put Rankings

Brandon Pounds' MileSplit Athlete Page

Interview with Indiana's Brandon Pounds

MileSplit (MS): Congratulations on such a great start to your senior season. Your coach mentioned that he expected you to throw far this year, but not this far, this early. Are you surprised by your early success?

Brandon Pounds (BP): Yes. I was very surprised, but I have worked hard all pre-season, so I knew the hard work would pay off.

MS: You had surgery on your wrist this summer. What happened exactly?

BP: The injury was a torn tendon, which led to a gangland cist, so it was a simply surgery, but very important and time consuming.

MS: What's the process been like getting back into the throwing/workout routine?

BP: The process from my surgery has been very key. It takes time. You can't rush a surgery, so you just have to do your physical therapy, be patient and let it heal 100%.

MS: Do you plan to compete at Nike Indoor Nationals or the NSIC meet?

BP: Yes, I will be competing at Nike Indoor Nationals.

MS: What are your goals for your senior season?

BP: My goals for senior year are to first graduate, and second, become the first shot putter over 70 feet from Indiana. And, to just have a great senior year.

MS: You've signed with Indiana State University. Why ISU?

BP: Well, I picked ISU because when I visited it felt like family. I enjoyed the campus, coaches, teachers and students. I also felt like that was a good fit for me.

MS: Take us through a typical week of training if you could.

BP: Wow, training is tough. Well, Monday might be all upper body and then Tuesday may be legs. We do a lot of lifts before and after throwing so you really have to focus on the little things, even being tired. But everyday is a different part of the body. There could be a workout of just sit-ups and push-ups.

MS: When did you first get into the shot put? Who's been the biggest influence in your athletic life?

BP: I first got into the shot put in the sixth grade at Fall Creek Valley Middle School, and the biggest influence has to be my family because they keep me going, just supporting me with kind words and the joy they get out of me throwing. Second would have to be my coach. He's like the father at school. He never wants you to fail when you have the potential to do great things. The bond my coach creates is great...to going to watch the Olympic Trials that were at IUPUI, to having the track team over for pizza and a movie.

MS: What do you like to do in your free time when you aren't focusing on athletics or academics?

BP: When not focusing on track and school work I like to go over to my brother's house and hang out, or the mall/movies.