Hasslen Gearing Up For One Final Shot

By Doug Binder for ArmoryTrack.com

Arizona senior Alyssa Hasslen got an up-close look at an Olympic-caliber female shot put field last summer when she made the U.S. team for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

Now, she is trying to build upon that experience.

If drawing upon last summer brings her more confidence and consistency, it would be a major step forward.

“That’s been the question that has been on my mind and (coach Craig Carter’s) mind,” Hasslen said. “He reminds me every day in practice, ‘Remember you were in Moscow in August and think about the experience you had there.’ I realize I was so blessed to have the opportunity to do it. I know my confidence is a lot higher than it was last year because I have that (World Championships) under my belt and I know what it takes to get to that level.”

Hasslen, an Oregon native, will compete in New York for the first time at The Armory Collegiate Invitational presented by NYRR, Feb. 7-8. She is the only athlete in the meet who competed at last summer’s World Championships.

On her best days, Hasslen has proven to be very good. In April of 2012 she hit her personal best throw of 60 feet, 2.50 inches. 

Besides a fourth place at the 2013 NCAA Indoor meet, Hasslen routinely underperformed at NCAA Championship meets. However, at the 2012 Olympic Trials she stepped up with a big throw and placed sixth.

And last year, after bombing at the NCAA Outdoor meet and placing 24th, she rebounded to place third at the U.S. championships with a big throw of 59-4.75.

“I recognize that I put a lot of pressure on myself to help the team and score as many points as I can and that was my downfall,” Hasslen said. “I’ve learned that when I’m throwing it’s about me and what I’m doing. This is my job and what I came here to do for me, it’s not about doing it for someone else. It’s a long journey and I’m still working toward (consistency).”

Hasslen is still revving up for her final season of college eligibility. The NCAA Indoor meet is her final chance to go for a national title.

“I took some time off after the summer but I wanted to make sure I was mentally and physically ready for the indoor season,” she said. “I knew I could prepare in a short amount of time. I’m going to be up there when I need to be.”