Michelle Carter

By Shawn Touney
July 10, 2001

Michelle Carter knows it's there.

The whispering of curious onlookers as the 15-year old steps into the circle. The gallery that comes to a hush when Carter gets in sound technical position to unleash a potential national record-setting throw in the shot put.

And once the shot strikes the sand, an enthusiastic applause from nearly all of her competitors follows. It's the type of admiration that is rarely seen in sports - a group of athletes applauding a competitor who is simply dominant over everyone else.

Michelle Carter is aware of that, too.

"It's a little embarrassing, but at the same time I am trying to stay focused," said Carter of the frequent post-throw cheers.

Carter's father, Michael, has been the recipient of many cheers as a 1984 Olympic silver medalist for Team USA in the shot put.

"She's used to it," said Michael. "But that's Michelle. She never displays emotion and comes to compete."

Carter, a junior-to-be from Ovilla, Tex., overmatched the competition at the USATF Youth Athletics National Championships in Decatur, Ill. by throwing the shot 14.99m/49-2.25 this past weekend. The mark broke the previous record by more than three feet. Carter was also a winner in the intermediate girl's discus at Youth Athletics, with a throw of 43.73m/ 143-06.

Youth Athletics featured 2,500 young athletes from across the country. Carter was one of 53 athletes tuning up for the IAAF World Youth Championships in Debrecen, Hungary, where she will compete against the best in the world her age.

When asked what aspect of track and field he has most instilled into his daughter, Michael had an easy response.

"Definitely the mental preparation. It doesn't matter where you're competing or who you're competing against - if you have your mind ready," said Michael.

Said Michelle: "I think he just wants to make sure I do my best."