American Record Holder Looks Ahead

By Scott Bush

Imagine graduating from college, where you were an All-American in your event but never a national champion, only to find yourself finishing top three at the U.S. Olympic Trials and jetting over to compete in the Olympic Games shortly thereafter. What a rush! That might sound like a dream, but it was hammer thrower Amanda Bingson's reality in 2012. Having just graduated from UNLV, where she finished third at the NCAA Championships, Bingson threw a huge personal best of 71.78m at the Olympic Trials to upset a handful of veteran competitors to finish second and book her trip to the London Olympics. While she finished 13th in her qualifying round, well off her Olympic Trials best, she gained valuable experience that paid off big since then. 

In 2013, Bingson took a another big step forward, crushing the American hammer record with a toss of 75.73m, whie earning her first national title (all at the same meet). Throw in a tenth place finish at the IAAF World Championships and it was another season to remember. 

Which brings us to 2014. While Bingson didn't break her American record, she did win another U.S. title, threw her second through fifth best throws of her career, while placing second for Team Americas at the Continental Cup, beating some serious competition. She finished the season ranked #7 in the world and has even higher hopes for 2015. We caught up with the 24 year old this week discussing her season, her past and what inspires her, as well as her future.

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Scott Bush (SB): You didn't reset your American record in 2014, but you definitely had a very successful and consistent season, ranking #7 in the world at the end of the day. Now that you've had a few weeks to look back, how do you feel about your season?

Amanda Bingson (AB): I am calling this year my “Worst, Best Year.” On paper it was a success. My world ranking, as well as in the hammer challenge, is higher than it ever has been, while my average throw bumped up about 2 meters. So, looking back, this has been my best year thus far in my career. But as you said I did not reset my record, so for me personally I feel like I did not have a successful year. 

This was my first year really traveling and getting to know what it was like to be a “professional” at my event. With that being said, I think I was too concerned about my rankings and doing the best I can do that I didn’t get to enjoy what I was actually doing. I believe that there is a balance, like everything in life, between business and pleasure. This year was all business and very little pleasure and I think that is what was holding me back.

SB: Outside of winning your second straight U.S. title, what performance are you most proud of from this past season?

AB: Defiantly the Cup was a huge meet for me in more than the placing aspect. There was a lot going on behind-the-scenes and we (the athletes) weren’t sure if we were going to have implements to throw the night before our competition. I have never had that happen before so that was a hoop for me to jump. Being able to compete with the best and the current world record holder is always nerve-racking but I am getting better at it and hopefully by 2015 I will have the kinks worked out so I can do my best in ’16.

SB: We read you got your degree from UNLV in sports psychology. What do you do to work on the mental side of your training during the season?

AB: I just try to stay in my own head and only worry about me. Everyone posts on social media about how they are throwing and what marks they have hit which is great for them but I would rather people know my competition throws than my practice PR’s.

SB: You’re right on the cusp of cracking into the medals at Worlds and the Olympics. What do you feel you need to do to take that one last jump?

AB: As I said earlier, I think having fun and enjoying my travels along with the balance of doing work is what will do it for me. The training is on its way and I am so young at this we are still waiting for me to “peak.” My progression is something that my coach has never seen before in this event and we do not plan on slowing down anytime soon. If we continue to do what we are doing then a medal should be in our sights. We (Greg Watson of K-state and I) made the team in 2012,  we made it to finals in 2013 and we have hope for podium in 2015. Our goal has always been and will always be to be the best we can.

SB: Who’s been the biggest inspiration for you over the past few years as you've climbed up the national and international ladder in the hammer?

AB: My biggest inspirations are those close friends that I have lost in past years. Those who I have lost were between the ages of 14 and 25, too young on any account. I have known death from a very young age and have been to more funerals than many people ever need to, and although it’s sad to say, it has inspired me and pushed me to where I am today. The day is never promised, so we must do the best we can every day and do our best to enjoy it and be happy. And that is what I am doing. I am living like all those friends I have lost; young, ambitious, hungry for a challenge, passionate and captivated by life.  

SB: What drew you to the hammer throw initially? There is so much focus on the shot put and discus at the younger levels, so what was the draw?

AB: My coach Greg Watson (K-Sate) is the one that got me to throw the hammer. In high school it’s all shot and disc and if you were lucky maybe the jav, but never the hammer. I wasn’t drawn to the hammer as much and I was forced to take it up. At UNLV, Greg was a volunteer and was working a full-time job while coaching us, so time was not an option. Greg loves the throws but hammer was his primary at the time. With only having an hour window to work with us he made the decision to put all his eggs in one basket and made all of us hammer throwers; and as we say in Vegas…he hit the Jackpot. 

From the time I started at UNLV (Fall ’08) to the time I finished my eligibility (Spring ’12) the UNLV throws program went from space fillers in the Mountain West to national contenders. So I guess my draw was Greg Watson.

SB: Out of the ring, what do you like to do in your free time?

AB: Out of the ring I like anything that requires being outdoors. Golf, floating down the river, shooting, sand volleyball, anything that is active I will do it. It is a great way to meet people talking to friends and make great memories to tell the grandkids. No good story starts with ”Remember when we were doing nothing? Man that was great!”  

SB: Last question...you competed in the 2012 Olympic Games at only 22 years old. What the heck was that experience like for you, especially having just graduated from UNLV?

AB: I mean your first post-collegiate meet is the Olympics, not a bad thing. For us, because we were not planning on making that team, it was really exciting. Going into London I knew what it would take to make finals and I know that I did not have a slim chance of doing it, so I was more focused on what was going on around me and learning how everything worked at meets like that. I was like a kid in a candy shop that day and I used that experience to better prepare me for future competitions.