Streisel takes aim. (Photo by Charles Stone)
Welcome to Track Chats 2012! We continue with thrower Christine Streisel from Tamaqua HS in Pennsylvania. Christine recently popped a big 160-11 PR in the javelin at the Tamaqua Blue Raider Invitational, making her US#2 in the event. Christine is ready to go this season, with the Penn Relays just around the corner it is not a bad time to be throwing so well!
Christine - I'm excited that I was able to have a good throw this early. I just want to make sure I focus and keep training and not let it be my best throw of the season.
MileSplit - The Penn Relays are coming up soon. What are you looking for in terms of competition and outcome from this meet?
Christine - Penn Relays is a very exciting time of the year for me. My coach has been training me hard and will continue to do so for the next two weeks so that I can be technically sound and have a really good meet. There's a lot of very good competition and I'm looking forward to that. I expect a lot out of myself there and of course I will be striving to win.
MileSplit - When & how did you get started in track & field?
Christine - I got started the summer before my freshman year. I had played baseball for 12 years and had a decent arm. I had seen the success of Casey Wagner (a 2008 grad, now at USF) and Allie Updike (2011 grad, now at Georgia) and thought that maybe I could be good at it and gave it a try.
MileSplit - Person/people most influential to your success in track & field?
Christine - My coaches are definitely influential. They dedicate their time to work with me and help me in so many ways. My parents also; they encourage me and remind me to work hard. I also would have to say Casey and Allie because if I had not seen their success, I may never have even tried javelin.
MileSplit - Your favorite track & field event(s)?
Christine - Javelin is definitely my favorite event. I love how it's not just something you can pick up one day and throw far. There is so much technique and work involved that I think a lot of people don't realize or see. It's an event that you have to really work hard at to be good.
MileSplit - Your track & field event coach(es) and what they mean to you?
Christine - My shot and discus coach, Coach Sakash, means a lot. He helps me everyday to be better than I was the day before and is willing to give his time. My javelin coach, Coach Kotchmar, is the reason for all of my success. He has so much knowledge and is willing to learn from anybody to help me improve. He makes me work hard everyday and deserves a lot of credit for what I've accomplished so far. Also, Barry Krammes has been extremely helpful to me and deserves a lot of credit too.
MileSplit - Keys to your successful track & field training program?
Christine - I think hard work is a key, and the workouts that I do. My coach always pushes me and makes sure I work hard. Also, a lot of the medicine ball workouts I do have come from a lot of knowledgeable people in javelin. I feel that the workouts I do are essential to my success.
MileSplit - Your favorite track & field meet?
Christine - My favorite meet would have to be states. I love the atmosphere at states and everything leading up to it. Also, what is at stake makes it exciting and motivating.
MileSplit - Your favorite performance in track & field?
Christine - This may just be a tie between states last year and my PR this year. Winning states last year was great; I didn't throw as far as I would have liked but I won the medal I was after. Also, to have the title of state champion is something that I'll have forever. But, my 160 throw this year was also awesome. I put a lot of work in in the off season and hitting 160 was a relief to see that the work has been paying off.
MileSplit - Track & field athlete(s) you most enjoy competing against?
Christine - I don't really have a favorite person in particular. Anyone that I see as a threat to beat me or has thrown close if not farther than me is someone that I enjoy competing against. I enjoy competing against the best.
MileSplit - Your greatest experience in track & field so far?
Christine - I guess states would be my greatest. The title you get to hold as state champion and to perform big at the most important meet of the year is what I work hard for.
MileSplit - Goals for the 2012 track & field season?
Christine - My goals for this season are to stay consistent, whether it be at practice or at meets, I want to make sure I maintain where I'm at. I also want to improve everyday and win.
MileSplit - Long-term goals in track & field?
Christine - My long term goals are to continue to learn more and throw farther, go to college and compete there, and after that I'll see where it takes me.
The Fun Run
Do you like rock or pop…
Christine - Pop
Do you like shorts or jeans…
Christine - Shorts
Do you like Words with Friends or Angry Birds…
Christine - Angry Birds
Do you like Facebook or Instagram...
Christine - Neither
Do you like going out or chilling at home...
Christine - Chilling at home
Do you like sun or snow...
Christine - Sun
