For all of her childhood, Senior Julie Coffey competed in every sport she could. “I played all the sports as a kid, and when I went to middle school the only sport they had in the spring was track,” Coffey said. After talking to her dad, Coffey learned that he was a thrower in high school, so she wanted to try it out. “I went out and tried shot put and discus in middle school, and loved it,” Coffey said.
Coffey stuck with throwing until she graduated from Indiana High School in Iowa. Her next goal was to find a school to continue her education and athletics. After considering a few schools and going on many visits, she landed on Baker, “I came to Baker and I just loved it, it had everything I was looking for,” Coffey said.
During high school Coffey only competed in shot put and discus, but when she got to Baker she decided to try javelin and hammer throw.
Throughout her time at Baker, throwing has helped shape her into the person she is today, “I think that, especially this past season, it’s taught me to just believe in myself.” Coffey said.
“I think, especially with shot put, I’ve always kind of doubted my abilities in it, and this year my coaches were really just pushing to have a positive mindset, and I got a PR by over a meter for indoor,” Coffey said.
Though a new personal record was a highlight for Coffey this season, she had many other great feats. One of these feats was Coffey being the only Baker athlete to qualify for outdoor nationals.
“Because I qualified so early in the year we’ve been kind of working at every meet to change my warmup routine to see if I need more or less throws just to see how I perform,” Coffey said. Another big thing Coffey has been doing to prepare is practicing her mental game and making sure she takes care of her body.
“It was a really good opportunity last year, so I’m excited to have the opportunity again this year,” Coffey said. Coffey will compete in javelin at nationals May 22 in Asheville N.C.
After graduation and nationals, Coffey is considering working in wellness or recreation. Coffey also says she’s considered to continue competing unattached at meets in the future.
