Kamorean Hayes is one of the most decorated HS athletes in state history. She has won multiple National Titles both indoors & outdoors, represented the US at the International Level, and been named an All-American by USA Today.
She enters this weekends' Nike Outdoor Nationals with the top mark in the US. She threw the shot 51-03.50 at the 4A state meet in May at North Carolina A&T. The same place where she be throwing on Friday. Kamorean actually has 7 of the top 13 shot put throws in the US this outdoor season. She will also be participating in the discus, where she is highly ranked as well. In 2005, Kamorean placed 3rd in the girl's discus throw at the Outdoor Championships.
CoachHovis: When did you start throwing? What got you into the sport?
Kamorean Hayes: I began throwing at the age of 12 after two years of being a runner. I pulled my hamstring and my mom didn't want me to just sit out.She thought that it would be a good idea to put me in throwing seeing as to she threw herself in high school.
Coach Hovis: When did you say, “this is my thing”?
Kamorean Hayes: When I first picked the shot put up Shelton saw somthing that I did't. To him I was already a winner. That was one of my many battles, being confident in myself. Shelton always told me that if i throw like I wasn't sure then I would get unsure results, but if I throw confidently I would get good and confident results. About the age of 13 I was alot more confident and ready to throw.
Coach Hovis: Tell me about Coach Harrison, what makes the two of you work so well together?
Kamorean Hayes: I guess Coach Shelton is a mind game type of coach. He gives me books to read depending upon what is going on and how training is going. Like if practice is going good he will make me read something about god and how easily my talent can be taken away in a good sence so that I don't get big headed. I think that we get along well because it's not all about throwing, it's about being a good person. He reminds me that I once struggled to. To help people when they need it.
Coach Hovis: What are your goals for this weekend in both events?
Kamorean Hayes: Well in shot I plan to break the record of 54. I'm not sure if I am throwing the discus.If I do 170 would be the goal.
Coach Hovis: After this meet, what else is planned for the summer?
Kamorean Hayes: Rest is my plan. I have a long road ahead of me.
Coach Hovis: You’ve had quite a track career, what has been the most rewarding or exciting experience you’ve had in track so far?
Kamorean Hayes: I think that the most rewarding and exciting was when I went to Africa to compete it was such a new and exciting experience.What made it really great was that my whole familly came to support me. Also placing 3rd in the discus (at World Youth Championships) was a great feeling.
Coach Hovis: How does it feel to be one of the most decorated track athletes in state history?
Kamorean Hayes: I feel blessed. I give all credit to god, my number one fan. I feel like I am just like everyone else sometimes I don't belive it.That I have done all of these things over the years.
Here's a quick look at some stats from the High School National Championships.
Outdoors
2007 - ????
2006 – 50-10 1st JR
2005 – 51-01 1st SO
2004 - Didn't compete
Indoors
2007 – 52-06.50 1st SR
2006 – 50-08.00 1st JR
2005 – 48-11.00 1st SO *class record
2004 – 44-02.75 2nd FR
Best throws - Shot – 52-6.5 Discus – 162-10
Coach Hovis: I tried to find an all-time US list, but it didn’t seem updated . . . are you 10th all-time?
Kamorean Hayes: Indoor I'm 3rd all time. Outdoor I will find out for you.
Coach Hovis: You have done well in the discus, but do you consider the shot your better event?
Kamorean Hayes: I dont consider shot put my better event because I love shot put and discus both equally. I work harder at the discus than in shot. I personally think that in the years to come discus will be at the for front of my career.
Coach Hovis: Have you attempted the hammer throw of weight throw? Do you plan to throw those in college?
Kamorean Hayes: No I have't thrown any of those yet but plan to in college.
Coach Hovis: Finally, can you explain the point? I’ve noticed that all of Coach Harrison’s athletes do it.
Kamorean Hayes: I started pointing when i first started to throw. My mother and I were throwing and she was "point to where your going to throw. Get a focus point''. I point to god and to measure where im going to throw the shot put.