Expectations for Salem Hills senior Talin Mortensen couldn't be any higher, which is what happens when you PR in your first indoor meet of the season ... in the shot put. Mortensen, a 6-foot-1 and 230-pound thrower, is also coming off two state titles in the previous spring. While the road to the No. 1 throw in the nation seems difficult -- Saxonburg Knoch (Pa.) senior Jordan Geist continues to climb the shot put ranks with a mark of 72-9.75 -- it's fair to say Mortensen could very well become one of the best this indoor season -- not to mention in the state of Utah. This past weekend, for instance, he pocketed a career PR of 60-3, moving him to US #6. So let's get to the interview.
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So Talin, ever hear the story behind your name? Please tell me your parents named you after some ancient strong man who could pick up boulders the size of mountains and throw them miles at a time.
Talin: Unfortunately no. All my siblings names start with a 'T', so when I was born 'Talin', it was a name that just stuck I guess.
OK, fair enough. So throwers don't get the love that runners do. Are you OK with that? What's it mean to have the kind of success you've had in events that aren't as publicly followed as others.
I wish the throwing events would get more love. I feel throwers definitely fly under the radar sometimes. But it's cool to know that you're successful in a sport. And unless someone was to ask, they would have no clue.
You're coming off a tremendous junior season, both in the shot put and discus. But most will say that the shot put is your go-to event because of the success you've had. Do you agree with that, or do you feel you're balanced in each event?
I think that is very true. I definitely have more of a natural ability with shot put. But I love throwing the discus as well. Things just don't come to me as easy in discus as they do in shot put.
For the sake of indoors, we'll stick to shot put. You came out firing in January at BYU with a 59-3.75 PR. Right away, you were close to your all-time PR. Realistically, how far do you think you can throw?
My PR from last season was 60-1. My goal is to break the Utah record, which is 66-6. I feel very confident that I can do that. Then after that, I just have to keep going up. My biggest goal this year is to improve every meet. I think that can result in big throws come May or June.
What are your thoughts on Jordan Geist's US #1 72-9.75? Is that insane, or can you get close?
Thats definitely insane. He's a fantastic thrower and I hope I get to compete against him in the future.
What are your expectations for the indoor season? You already have a qualifier for New Balance Nationals Indoor. Is it your hope that you will compete at that level?
My expectations are to continue to improve every meet, stay consistent and throw 64-plus -- that would put me at #1 all-time in Utah indoors. I would love to compete at that level, unfortunately due to cost I'm not sure if I will make it to New Balance.
Throwers are all about their routines. What gets you ready in the circle? Explain to me what adds up to the best possible throw for you?
A nice loud slow clap always gets me ready to throw big. Some things that add up to my best possible throw are: having good competitors who have thrown similar to what I have; having someone to chase; having someone who has thrown big already; and when I enter the ring and allow my technique to do the work, that always results in a big throw.
Even though you're in the circle by yourself, I'm sure there's competition out there. Which competitors do you look forward to throwing against the most?
(Beaver High junior) Austin Carter is someone I like competing with, even though (Cedar High's) Hunter Mogensen is one of my best friends and someone I train with everyday. I love throwing with him. We always get each other pumped up. Last year I enjoyed competing with (Dartmouth freshman) Ethan Ruh from (Creighton Prep) Nebraska. I competed against him at Simplot, Grea Southwest and USATF juniors. Great competitor.
What's been your favorite workout so far indoors?
I added snatches into my lifting program. That has become my favorite lift.
Can you describe a typical week of training?
Monday: Bench press, power clean, plyometric jumps, a lot of full throws
Tuesday: Back squat, power snatch, medicine ball work, drill day for the throws.
Wednesday: Off day in the weight room, a lot of full throws
Thursday: Incline bench press, clean and jerk, plyometrics, drill day for the throws
Friday: Speed day in the weight room working on being really explosive, a lot of full throws.
Saturday: Back Squats, snatch, drills for the throws
Sunday: Off day, get the spiritual gains.
What are your #MileSplitGoals for 2017?
Shot put 66-7+; Discus 185-0; make finals at USA Junior Olympic nationals.
What's your biggest weakness and why?
Sometimes I get too anxious in the ring and forget my technique and I just try to chuck it.
How do your biggest strengths help make up for it?
I am a glider so I don't need perfect technique. I can rely on my strength a little more.
Quick Hits...
Professional athlete you look up to the most and why: Joe Kovacs, Great competitor brings alot of intensity to the competition.
What's your favorite thing to do in Utah, and which season does this happen in: Ride four-wheelers, mostly spring and summer.
Strongman Games or CrossFit Games? What are you more into: Strongman, Watching someone lift a car is pretty impressive.
Heaviest thing you've ever lifted: Moving a clothes washer and it still had water in it. It had to weigh over 600 lbs
Who's the best athlete in your family and why: My older brother Trenton, He just can do just about anything well.
Pre-meet carbo load. What are you eating to prepare for an event: My little sister makes this great alfredo pasta. I eat way more of that then I should. It usually results in a big throw.
Website you spend the most time on: MileSplit or YouTube watching shot put competitions
How do you think your track career will be remembered by: Hopefully just being a great competitor. Someone who always brought intensity to the meet.
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