Feb. 23, 2011

By Nathan Allen, Mizzou Athletic Media Relations

Mizzou freshman Kearsten Peoples has already built an impressive resume that grows almost every time she steps into the throwing ring. She has thrown herself near the top of Big 12 weight throw and shot put performance lists. From the moment Peoples (Ottawa, Kan.) laid hands on a shot put, she was destined for success and even if she did not know it - probably Mizzou as well. However, it is not what she has done, but what she will do that is both terrifying for her competitors and exhilarating for her coaches.

As a seventh grader, Peoples wanted to try all of the sports she could, including track and field. However, having to practice indoors and not wanting to run almost led to a premature ending to her young track career.

"It (track) seemed dumb and I didn't know anything about it," Peoples said. "I went crying to the coaches, asking them to let me quit. They told me to try one competition and if I still didn't like it, I could quit."

One of the coaches that encouraged Peoples to stay was Joe Tokarz, the high school coach of Mizzou's first women's weight throw school record holder, Heather White. Once she got to that first meet, Peoples threw further than many high school athletes. Peoples was hooked and her future high school coaches were counting down the days for her to enter her freshman year at Ottawa High School.

Peoples lived up to expectations throughout high school. By the time she had finished at Ottawa she had improved her technique, qualified for the state championships all four possible times and was a three-time state champion while breaking the Kansas state records in the discus and shot put. She had established herself as the No. 1 ranked high school thrower according to Track and Field News - good enough for All-American status.

When it came down to recruiting, that early Mizzou connection played a large role. Mizzou head coach Brett Halter was one of the first to call, and according to Peoples, displayed the intelligence and straight-forwardness she was looking for in a future coach.

Upon arrival at Mizzou, Peoples has lived up to and surpassed all of the expectations that come with being the nation's number one recruit.

"I stand in the coach's box at track meets and witness drooling from other throws coaches," said Teri Cantwell, Mizzou assistant coach. "Our own athletes can be heard saying `oh my gosh' when she releases throws. Kearsten has a body made for throwing. She is explosive and quick. When matched with her size and strength this young lady reminds me of my husband, Christian (Cantwell)."

For the record, that is the Olympic silver medalist and multiple World and National Champion shot put thrower, Christian Cantwell. Nevertheless, with this success comes a stigma that Peoples has combated with a reserved, confident personality.

"I once heard a throws coach compare female throwers to male ballerina's," Cantwell said. "Basically, it is hard for society to accept their bodies or what their bodies are meant to do. I spend a lot of time with female throwers combating that very issue. Kearsten has an inner strength. She knows her body is beautiful. She knows her body was meant to do something very special."

Special enough to go after a few school records. Peoples has not only already broken freshman school records in the weight throw and shot put, she has her sights on an equally impressive record - the women's school record for highest weight in the squat lift. That is an all-time women's school record that includes all sports.

"Kearsten didn't lift that much in high school," Cantwell said. "She is raw strength. Last week she tried 407lbs. Although she failed, the record will go down soon. The bench record is in jeopardy as well. When she technically gets better at cleans, those records will most likely fall also."

But the best part about all of this record breaking is Peoples will not be alone.

"In time, I think she will surpass the all-time school records," Cantwell said. "The greatest story here for me is Kearsten will most likely be fighting for all of her records among her current teammates. We have another freshman, Jill Rushin who was one of the top-rated recruits out of high school in the throws. Katie Evans was All-Conference as a freshman last year. Kearston has to compete with Courtni Ervin everyday to get the squat record. She is at one of the best throws schools in the nation."

What Kearsten brings most to this team though is her love for the sport.

"Having fun for me is the main point," Peoples said. "I am enjoying what I am doing and that is most important."

Cantwell described Peoples as the type of person who really loves the sport of track and field.

"You can see her drifting from the throws area trying to see her friends triple jump," Cantwell said. "She makes it to the high jump, pole vault and sprints. In track you can get consumed by your individual event. She generally wants to see the entire team get better in all events."

With the team headed to Lincoln, Neb. this weekend to compete at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, Peoples finds herself in position for two All-Conference honors. She is currently ranked fifth in the weight throw and eighth in the shot put. Peoples is also ranked 25th in the nation in the shot put.

Some years in the Big 12, her shot put mark from high school would come close to winning," Cantwell said. This year though, she is competing in the deepest conference league for women's throwing ever in the NCAA."

Cantwell said Peoples still needs to work on her technique, but with the raw strength and quickness Peoples possesses, the sky is the limit.

"Once Kearsten gets that fantastic technique, she will be able to say `watch out United States and World.'"

Peoples wanted to thank Tokarz and her high school coach, Evan Schaffer. She also wanted to acknowledge all of the support she has received from family and friends.