Thrower Warr named top Aggie
Utah Statesman: What event in track and field would you like to participate in that you are not currently competing in?
Neil Warr: I like jumping, so probably the high jump. I’ve actually never thought of that before.
US: What is your most memorable track and field experience?
NW: This last weekend at the Stanford Invitational was the most memorable. My wife was down to watch me, and there was great competition. I hit a couple, it felt really good and strong. I’ve been waiting to break the school record, so it was good to finally do that.
US: How did you get started in throwing the javelin?
NW: In high school I was a baseball pitcher, and my brother threw the javelin. He started talking about it, and I thought it was interesting. I started dinking around with him, and I liked it. It all started from there.
US: How do you prepare for a meet?
NW: I watch the “Gladiator” before every meet. You know how in the movie he picks up the dirt? Well, right before the meet, I find the mark I want to hit that day and I go grab some dirt from that area and rub it in my hands. I’ve done it since I was in high school. I actually did it before the “Gladiator” [came out], but since he did it, I have to watch the movie now.
US: What is your favorite hobby outside of track and field?
NW: I love to camp. Love to play basketball, hang out and dink around with friends. I guess I just like to be with family and friends.
US: What is your major and why did you pick it?
NW: I’m going into accounting. I’m a dork like that. I’m not very good at it, but I like it. I took an accounting class and liked it and decided that it was more specific than a management or an MHR [Management and Human Resources] degree.
US: Who is your sports hero?
NW: I’ve always looked up to Michael Jordan, because he has just always dominated. In track I’ve always looked up to [Jan] Zelezny, he’s the world record holder from the Czech Republic. He owns the top 15 throws of all time. He is amazing, the technical master of [the javelin].
US: If you could hit one object with the javelin what would it be?
NW: I would just like to hit an object 250 feet away, it doesn’t really matter what the object is.
US: What would you consider your athletic slogan to be?
NW: I don’t know if I really have an athletic slogan, I just throw, man.
US: What is your overall goal for the javelin?
NW: I want to someday make the Olympic team, hopefully in 2004. Right now I’m sitting ninth, and I’ve got to get to the top four. So, if I can do that I will be very pleased.
-csmo@cc.usu.edu