University Southern California Trojans
A Record-Setting Mindset
April 06, 2018 | Track & Field, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Click the play button on the video above to learn more about Jemison and the other USC throwers!
The USC track & field team is full of tremendous student-athletes, but Breana Jemison may be one of the most mentally tough, driven athletes on the squad.
Not only is she a talented shot putter on the team, but she has also battled back from multiple injuries, transferred schools and is now a full-time graduate student earning a Master of Studies in Law. As if this wasn't enough, Jemison can now add USC record-holder to her long list of accomplishments. The redshirt senior shot putter set the USC women's shot put record at the California Collegiate Invitational last weekend (March 31).
Jemison took the lead from the beginning of the meet and closed with the school-record mark of 57-7.75/17.57m.
She approached this meet with the same mindset with which she enters every meet.
"
As soon as I step into the ring, it's just clear mind, execute and effort," said Jemison. "I wasn't even focused on throwing far or trying to break a record or anything like that. I just wanted to execute my technique and it just so happened that was the throw to do it."
Jemison's impressive throw broke the previous mark of 57-7.50/17.56m, which was set by Karen Freberg back in 2006. She now ranks second out of all collegiate shot putters this season. But she's not done yet; She wants to help lead the women to a national title this year.
On a more personal level, Jemison shared that her goal is to eventually become an Olympic shot putter. In order to turn pro she says, "[I'm] staying diligent, keeping faith, being patient, working really hard, just going for it and putting all of my effort into this."
Jemison is no stranger to rigorous training and dedication as she has been competing in shot put since her freshman year at Carlsbad (Calif.) High School. She laughs at the fact that prior to high school she had no idea what shot put even was. It wasn't until she saw her two older brothers competing that she developed an interest in the sport.
Jemison was also a key member of her high school basketball team, even earning her basketball team's MVP award in 2012. She also tried her hand at volleyball.
"I was absolutely terrible, believe it or not," she said. "Even though I'm over six feet, I was terrible at volleyball."
At first Jemison's goal was to earn a collegiate basketball scholarship. But deep down, something told her to stick with track.
"The more I did it, the more I loved it," she said.
Jemison began her collegiate career at UC Riverside where she also set the school's shot put record. While at UCR, she suffered multiple knee injuries, including one her senior season.
"I was just absolutely distraught by it," said Jemison. "It was my senior year and I really wanted to go out strong, but without that injury I wouldn't have ended up here. So I just turned my negative mindset around and made it positive."
Through hard work, dedication to her rehab and her drive to reach her goals, Jemison made a full recovery and is clearly more healthy and successful than ever. In fact, she started off the outdoor season at seventh on USC's all-time list, before moving up to 6th and then setting the overall school record.
How has she seen so much improvement so fast? Jemison says it is a testament to her technique training with renowned USC throwing coach Dan Lange. Beyond that, she chalks it up to a quality that is a bit more intangible.
"It's really about mentality, just staying focused and diligent, being patient with the process," she says. "You want to see results so quickly … but it's the process."
Jemison's strong mindset has also lent itself to success in the classroom. She has had a long-held interest in law and even worked in law enforcement during her undergraduate career at UCR.
"My main goal after, because sports end eventually … I want to be a Chief of Police," said Jemison.
She knew that transferring to USC would take her to the next level in sports and her education.
In her journey towards becoming a professional shot putter, she again has the right mindset. When asked what it was about shot putting that she enjoyed most she said, "I think most people would say winning, but for me, I think just improving on yourself as a human being. I like seeing myself learn; I like seeing myself fail; I like seeing myself achieve great things. What I like most is just that it's helped me to become a better person."
Jemison will undoubtedly continue striving to become a stronger athlete and student. Her next meet is the Sun Angel Classic, which kicks off on today in Tempe, Ariz.
Not only is she a talented shot putter on the team, but she has also battled back from multiple injuries, transferred schools and is now a full-time graduate student earning a Master of Studies in Law. As if this wasn't enough, Jemison can now add USC record-holder to her long list of accomplishments. The redshirt senior shot putter set the USC women's shot put record at the California Collegiate Invitational last weekend (March 31).
Jemison took the lead from the beginning of the meet and closed with the school-record mark of 57-7.75/17.57m.
She approached this meet with the same mindset with which she enters every meet.
"
As soon as I step into the ring, it's just clear mind, execute and effort," said Jemison. "I wasn't even focused on throwing far or trying to break a record or anything like that. I just wanted to execute my technique and it just so happened that was the throw to do it."Jemison's impressive throw broke the previous mark of 57-7.50/17.56m, which was set by Karen Freberg back in 2006. She now ranks second out of all collegiate shot putters this season. But she's not done yet; She wants to help lead the women to a national title this year.
On a more personal level, Jemison shared that her goal is to eventually become an Olympic shot putter. In order to turn pro she says, "[I'm] staying diligent, keeping faith, being patient, working really hard, just going for it and putting all of my effort into this."
Jemison is no stranger to rigorous training and dedication as she has been competing in shot put since her freshman year at Carlsbad (Calif.) High School. She laughs at the fact that prior to high school she had no idea what shot put even was. It wasn't until she saw her two older brothers competing that she developed an interest in the sport.
Jemison was also a key member of her high school basketball team, even earning her basketball team's MVP award in 2012. She also tried her hand at volleyball.
"I was absolutely terrible, believe it or not," she said. "Even though I'm over six feet, I was terrible at volleyball."
At first Jemison's goal was to earn a collegiate basketball scholarship. But deep down, something told her to stick with track.
"The more I did it, the more I loved it," she said.
Jemison began her collegiate career at UC Riverside where she also set the school's shot put record. While at UCR, she suffered multiple knee injuries, including one her senior season.
"I was just absolutely distraught by it," said Jemison. "It was my senior year and I really wanted to go out strong, but without that injury I wouldn't have ended up here. So I just turned my negative mindset around and made it positive."
Through hard work, dedication to her rehab and her drive to reach her goals, Jemison made a full recovery and is clearly more healthy and successful than ever. In fact, she started off the outdoor season at seventh on USC's all-time list, before moving up to 6th and then setting the overall school record.
How has she seen so much improvement so fast? Jemison says it is a testament to her technique training with renowned USC throwing coach Dan Lange. Beyond that, she chalks it up to a quality that is a bit more intangible.
"It's really about mentality, just staying focused and diligent, being patient with the process," she says. "You want to see results so quickly … but it's the process."
Jemison's strong mindset has also lent itself to success in the classroom. She has had a long-held interest in law and even worked in law enforcement during her undergraduate career at UCR.
"My main goal after, because sports end eventually … I want to be a Chief of Police," said Jemison.
She knew that transferring to USC would take her to the next level in sports and her education.
In her journey towards becoming a professional shot putter, she again has the right mindset. When asked what it was about shot putting that she enjoyed most she said, "I think most people would say winning, but for me, I think just improving on yourself as a human being. I like seeing myself learn; I like seeing myself fail; I like seeing myself achieve great things. What I like most is just that it's helped me to become a better person."
Jemison will undoubtedly continue striving to become a stronger athlete and student. Her next meet is the Sun Angel Classic, which kicks off on today in Tempe, Ariz.
Players Mentioned
Throws
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Tuesday, July 28
Wednesday, July 22
