RamWire Exclusive: In Focus with Shadae Lawrence

In this RamWire exclusive series, we go In Focus and get the details on some of the most engaging photos from CSU Athletics events. Our latest photo features track & field discus thrower Shadae Lawrence moments before a throw at the Jack Christiansen Invitational this year.

On her mindset heading into NCAAs

Right now, I'm just following coach's instruction. I'm way ahead of the schedule mark-wise, so I'm just going to keep working on the little things and see where it takes me. I wasn't expecting to be throwing this far at this point in time.

On her decision to transfer to CSU

When my coach at Kansas State left for LSU it was about two weeks before school started, so I knew I had to decide quickly on where I wanted to go. All I knew was that I didn't want to wait and see who would become my new coach at Kansas State, and that I wanted to go to a discus school. This is my last year to compete and I didn't want to leave it to chance.

I looked at a lot of Coach Bedard's previous throwing athletes and could tell he was a really good discus and shot put coach. Seeing their success helped me know I was making the right decision. After seeing the accomplishments of Mostafa Hassan and looking at his technique in throwing, I really liked it even though it was a different event.

Knowing I had to get in contact urgently, I reached out to Mostafa. In that moment I was just thinking "ok, let's see who I know." We were following each other on Instagram and I just said "Mostafa you need to get in contact with your coach. I don't know how this is going to work, but could you please talk to him and tell him I need to come." Right away, Mostafa reached out to Coach Bedard and the rest was history.

On her expectations coming to CSU

When I made the decision to leave I knew I was going to a program with a good coach in Coach Bedard. I had looked into his website and his videos on YouTube and I felt he was a good coach. The aim was really to become consistent at a certain throwing mark, and now I'm way past that. So really, I've exceeded my expectations.

I wouldn't change a thing. Well…maybe I would change the fact that I should have been here at CSU four years ago.

On the moments right before a throw

Being here with a new coach, we are working on a lot of different pieces of my throwing technique. I try not to think too much when I'm competing but I always keep in mind one or two things I need to focus on in my throw. My mind isn't blank at all, you can't be blank.

On her record throw

I'm not really too aware of my technique right now, it's not drilled into me. When I threw the disc, I didn't know it went that far because I couldn't really feel the disc. I knew it was far, but I didn't know it was THAT far.

We were waiting and didn't really know it was that far. We thought it was maybe 61 meters or 62, so when we saw a 65 pop up we were like "oh my god." That mark told me good things were going to come and that I was heading in the right direction.

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