April 20, 2010
Fullerton, Calif. -
By Summer Mollo
Sports Information Intern
As Jameena Hunt's track and field career as a Titan comes to a fast-paced close, the senior couldn't be happier with where she is in life. Hunt not only is the captain of the Cal State Fullerton throws team but she also has won many meets including her most recent in Gainesville, Florida, against some on the top athletes in the country. This by a very late track bloomer who came to Fullerton mostly because of geography.
"I played basketball in high school (Morse HS in San Diego) and when Spring came along, I joined track," said Hunt. "I didn't want to run and fell into the shot put."
When she got to Fullerton four years ago she adapted her abilities into discus while majoring in kinesiology. She will attend San Diego State next semester to get her masters. She plans to go into sports management after she graduates from there.
Out of high school she had the choice of attending Cal State Northridge, San Diego State and Fullerton. The San Diego native didn't want to be too close to home in San Diego and felt that Northridge was too far.
"Fullerton was the perfect choice of not being too close and not being too far from home," said Hunt.
During her time at Fullerton she feels she has done a lot of maturing, especially in competition. She used to perform well in practice but not do as well at meets. Now she is more calm and mature and performs a lot better during meets. She has broke five school records - outdoor shot put, discus and hammer throw and indoor shot put and weight throw.
"My most memorable time at Fullerton was last year at the NCAA Regional Meet," said Hunt. She "PR'd" by 20 feet in the discus and ended up qualifying for Nationals.
She is the captain of the team and feels that there is a lot of team unity. She also mentioned that the team performs a lot better when they all get along.
The team inspires her and her parents have always been there for her. She says that they always make a big deal when she wins and it makes her want to do even better for them.
Her calming habits before her meets are listening to music that relaxes her. This has come with maturing. Instead of getting pepped up and eager before matches, she relaxes and goes into it with a calm mindset.
Some activities outside of the track team are shopping, reading and going to church. During the season she is so busy with practice and meets that it takes up a lot of her time.
"Just have fun" is the advice Hunt gives to future and present athletes. "A lot of the freshmen have a lot of pressure and big goals. It's good to have goals, but people shouldn't focus as much on the outcome as much as how to get there. Within my success I put no pressure on myself and just have fun."
Something that no one knows about Jameena is that she holds her pillow at night so she doesn't have nightmares.
"My pre-game patterns are to wake up four hours before the competition," said Hunt. "I also always eat cereal or oatmeal, listen to my calming playlist named, "Easy," go to the rooms, check out the sectors to see where I want to throw, and then sit back and relax before the match."
Another one of her inspirations is the tattoo that is on her throwing wrist. The bible verse 2 Timothy 1:7 means "God hasn't given me the spirit of fear, but of power."
"My goal for the season is to make nationals," said Hunt, who needs to be in the top 12 in the West Region.