Colorado University Athletics
Getting To Know: Brady Rutt, T&F
How did you get into track and field, specifically
throwing?
I started track and field when I was really young, about ten years
old. My dad showed me a shot put and asked if I wanted to try it. I
found that I wasnGÇÖt too bad at the event, so then he showed me a
discus as well. We started to go to a bunch of meets over the next
summer. Once I won a couple of the meets I knew I wanted to keep
going with it. My dad and my grandpa both threw, so it kind of runs
in the family.
How did you come to choose CU?
IGÇÖm from Nebraska originally, but weGÇÖve come up here for vacation
before, and IGÇÖve always said that it would be a really cool place
to come to school. I got in touch with Casey (Malone), and it just
worked out to be the best fit for me. I like the mountains and the
outdoors, so it just made since for me to come here.
What is your favorite event, and how do you approach
your training with it?
ItGÇÖs between discus and hammer. They are the only two events I do
in the outdoor season, but IGÇÖm starting to like hammer a little
more than discus. It goes farther and adds a little more fun. At
the beginning, itGÇÖs difficult to get down the technique, but once
you get the hang of it comes more naturally. Training wise, usually
I go Monday/Wednesday, one event, then Tuesday/Thursday, another
event. If we donGÇÖt have a meet Friday then IGÇÖll add that to my
training as well. Right now weGÇÖre lifting two times a week. ThatGÇÖs
about it.
Do you have goals that youGÇÖve set for yourself this
season?
IGÇÖd like to make NCAA prelims in both discus and hammer. Right now
IGÇÖve qualified (44th overall) for regionals in hammer,
but I have a feeling that I might get dropped off if I donGÇÖt throw
a little farther. I have a couple meets left to try to improve.
Hopefully I can qualify in discus too. It would be nice to make it
to nationals. ThatGÇÖs the ultimate goal.
What valuable piece of advice has Casey Malone given
you this year?
Last year I redshirted, but before I decided I was going to
redshirt, we sat down and had a one-on-one talk about what I needed
to do in order to be eligible for my fifth year. IGÇÖve been trying
to train and work hard and just keep improving. IGÇÖve improved about
four meters in the hammer this year. IGÇÖm pretty happy with it, but
IGÇÖd like to hit that 60 meter mark by the end of the
season.
Do you have any role models, either inside or
outside the sport?
Definitely Coach Casey, heGÇÖs a two-time Olympian. He knows the most
about it and has a lot of experience. My parents are my other role
models. My dad got me started when I was young, so IGÇÖm thankful for
that. He taught me everything he knew.
How do you prepare for a meet?
It kind of depends if itGÇÖs a traveling or local meet. Usually if
itGÇÖs around the area, IGÇÖll try to do the same routine every time. I
donGÇÖt have class on Friday this year, which is nice. Coach always
says to try to eat the same thing that you eat on regular days as
on meet days. You want your body to feel the same way every day. I
usually go to the training room to get my body checked out. We have
rollers, so I roll out and make sure IGÇÖm stretched out. ItGÇÖs more
difficult when we have to fly somewhere because someone else is
going to be getting ready when youGÇÖre in the hotel room and
waiting. You have to stay active or else youGÇÖre not going to be
ready when itGÇÖs your time to throw. Overall, I just try to keep it
basic, so thereGÇÖs not really any rituals I have.
Is there another activity or hobby that you try to keep
up with outside of throwing and school?
I like to fish and hunt. It can hard to find the time with both
school and track. I went hunting a couple of times this last season
but I havenGÇÖt done any fishing yet. The summer is when IGÇÖll try to
do everything that I canGÇÖt do during the school year.