Interval Session #61 - Mason Finley By Steve Underwood, June 12, 2008 Mason Finley threw the discus 211-10 in an invite on April 24 and, if the season had ended right there, it certainly would have been a pretty good one for the Buena Vista CO junior. After all, that was already 23 feet further than he threw in 2006, as the nation’s top sophomore. He had beaten his season’s goal. But no, the 6-8 standout was in for a pleasant surprise – at his region meet May 10, the conditions were good and his technique was “never better.” It actually took five throws that day to get it right, but when he did, he sent the platter flying 222-01, the third best throw in prep history. Mason followed that a dominating double at the CO State Meet, then after a few weeks off did the same at Great Southwest last weekend (he’s also a 66-foot shotputter). At Nike Outdoors, he’ll go for another sweep against two of the best fields ever assembled (especially the shot). DyeStat News Editor SteveU caught up with him midweek..

1. Mason, congrats on your double victory at Great Southwest and your success so far this season to date.  First, let’s talk about the 222-footer.  You had had some long throws this season up until that point, but that was really a huge PR.  Can you talk some about your season coming into that meet, and what your expectations were coming in?  And what was that long throw really like?? I always throw over 200, so I expected that much, but I wanted to get back out to where I was consistently in the 211s.  For the 222-footer I had a great wind, conditions were right, and my form was as good as it ever has been.  When I threw the 222-foot throw I knew it was a big one, but I didn’t expect that large of a throw.  I was very excited; the flight was so nice, it just floated almost to the end of the field. 2. Did you find that your thoughts about your goals and your throwing career changed with that big throw?  Did people start reacting to you differently, whether it was other athletes, coaches, people in the sport in general? I didn't even think I was going to get that far this year; I was just happy with my 211s (my goal was 210).  I don't think people started treating me different, but I’ve got a lot more recognition. 3. When you put one that far out there, is it tough not to obsess about feeling like you have to do it again right away?  Or have you been able to just focus on staying consistent in a certain range and knowing the biggest throws will come when the time and conditions are right? I would love to throw 220s every time, but it just doesn’t work like that.  I will be OK with being consistent in the 200-and-up range. 4. I’ve heard your father, Jared, is your main coach.  From talking with other athletes, I know it can be challenging to have a father-son / coach-athlete relationship, but I’ve heard you guys work it out pretty well.  Please tell us about it and how your interest in the sport developed in general. Well, I love that my dad is my coach. There is no way that I could be throwing as far as I am without my dad coaching me.  My interest started when my dad showed me all his medals that he had won when he was in high school and college.  I was little and I had to get some shiny medals. 5. A lot of people assume that the bigger you are, the further you automatically throw, but we know it’s not as simple as that.  What are the biggest challenges for a big guy in the shot and discus rings, and what are you doing in your training and mental approach to overcome them? There are advantages and disadvantages for every type of thrower.  I guess staying in the ring is harder for a big thrower at first, but I’ve trained for so long I'm really used to it.  A problem I have is my elbow will hurt during practice, so I’ll put one of those patella bands on it to prevent injury. 6. As you’ve developed in the sport, have you developed an interest in following any of the top national and international throwers?  If there’s one Olympic-level thrower from the past or present that you could have a training session with, who would it be and why? There are so many throwers I'd love to have a training session with, but for the shot it’s Brian Oldfield (former World Record Holder from US), and for the discus it’s Virgilijus Alekna (2-time Olympic champ from Lithuania). 7. Can you tell us about the transfer from Salida to Buena Vista?  I’ve heard that it had somewhat to do with them pushing you to play football when you didn’t want to.  What has your interest in other sports been like over the years and what has gotten you to the point of zeroing in on track?  What have been the factors this year that have helped you improve your marks so much? It wasn't because of football; I'm still going to play football in Buena Vista.  It was because of disagreements, between my family and the coaches at Salida.  But that is in the past, and I'm looking forward to another year at Buena Vista.  I like many other sports in high school.  I've played football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and track.  Ever since I was little, I knew I was going to stick with track. 8. It’s been a tough decision for a lot of athletes this year as far as whether to compete at Nike Outdoor or USATF Juniors.  Which meet is your post-season choice and why? I will be going to the Nike Outdoor this year.  It sounds like there is going to be a lot of competition there and I’m real excited.  I might go to the other one next year. 9. Going off the track to finish here, what are your strongest interests academically and what do you like to do for fun when you’re not studying or competing? I like computer graphic design and psychology.  When I'm not studying or training, I like to hang out with my friends. Photos by John and Donna Dye

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