Texas Tech University Athletics
Scholar Athlete of the Month: Hannah Carson
July 01, 2016 | Academics, Track and Field
The track & field star is Olympic trials bound after qualifying in discus, javelin
Previous Red Raider Club Scholar Athletes
The Olympic rings have been visiting Hannah Carson's dreams since she was a young girl, and with her collegiate Track & Field career behind her that has become a reality.
The javelin and discus thrower from Chandler, AZ was thrust in the national spotlight when she became the first ever female in NCAA Track & Field history to toss more than 60 meters in each event; a feat that qualified her for the Olympic trials in both.
"People kept telling me growing up that I could either do one or the other, but not both," Carson says. "Discus and javelin don't go together and I'll have to choose."
But Carson says she had no intentions of dropping either event, and her determination was shared by Coaches Wes Kittley and Cliff Felkins.
"My coaches never felt that way so I was able to work disc, and work jav and I think I'm actually shocking people."
Standing on the doorstep of a possible appearance in Rio for the summer Olympics, Carson is reflecting on the journey that got her here.
Nothing is ever guaranteed so I just want to enjoy every part of it.
Her swift climb to the top has been anything but easy for the redshirt senior.
"I hit 52 meters for the first time when I was 14," Carson says. "And didn't do it again until I was 21."
A number of knee injuries in those seven years have threatened to end her career, including an ACL tear that came on Carson's first ever javelin toss as a Red Raider in 2012.
"It was very frustrating. I had a long, long recovery process. I never want to take things for granted because anything could happen."
Carson's persistence carried her through an outstanding recovery and she returned for the 2013 season more determined than ever.
As a redshirt freshman that year, she made her first appearance at the NCAA National Track & Field meet, and would make appearances every year for the next three seasons.
"Nothing is ever guaranteed so I just want to enjoy every part of it."
Carson will throw in the Rio Olympic trials Friday, July 1st in Eugene, Oregon.
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