April 18, 2006

Cedar Falls, Iowa -

By Laurie Wild, UNI Media Relations Student

 

Going from high school to Division I competition is a hard task for any incoming student-athlete. University of Northern Iowa women's track and field member Rachel Jansen made the transition from MOC-Floyd Valley High School to the Panther uniform and did it in an impressive fashion.

 

In her freshman outdoor season for the Panther throwers Jansen broke two school records with her discus throw of 168-11 and shot put throw of 48-4. She was named Missouri Valley Conference champion in the discus event with a 157-7 mark and finished runner-up in the shot put with her 47- ¾ mark.  Jansen also placed eighth in the discus event with a throw of 156-7 at the highly competitive and nationally recognized Drake Relays.

 

 Jansen competed well during her first indoor season as she clinched all-conference honors, finishing third in the shot put at the MVC meet for her 45-11 ¾ mark.

 

Riding on the wave of success from her freshman campaign, nearly everything was set for a promising sophomore season. However, two knee surgeries in the fall kept Jansen from competing.

 

"My knees were still pretty sore from the surgeries, so the coaches advised me to redshirt that year, and give my knees time to rest and recover," Jansen said.

 

After having one of the most successful freshman throwing seasons in Panther history, the expectations were set high. Jansen has learned to deal with expectations.

 

"I go and throw to my personal ability on a certain day. I don't like to set number goals because I feel like it adds too much pressure," Jansen said. "I used to let the pressure get to me in high school, but I've learned how to deal with that now and just perform to my best ability."

 

Not only was Jansen able to overcome high expectations and pressures from her successful freshman campaign, she has quickly surpassed her first year honors.

 

During this year's indoor campaign she set the UNI shot put record in just her fourth outing of the season with a 54-1 ¾ mark at the UNI Classic. She then took the title at the MVC Indoor Championships and became the only UNI female track athlete to advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships.

 

Jansen placed 10^th at nationals, just missing the finals in a field of mainly juniors and seniors.

 

"I am so glad that I have gotten this experience," Jansen said. "I ended up throwing about what I had been throwing at all year. Overall, it was a great experience and I hope I can make it again next year and try and finish higher."

 

Jansen has had a remarkable start to the 2006 outdoor season, setting UNI records in the shot put, discus and hammer after only two meets.

 

When asked what keeps her motivated to perform well, Jansen was quick to mention the support from her parents. One of the reasons for her choosing UNI was the closeness to her family.

 

"My parents travel to everything," she said. "I don't think they've ever missed one of my events. I want to perform well for them and make them proud."

 

She also pointed out her throwing coach, Renetta Seiler as a source of motivation.

 

"Renetta is a great coach and a great person," Jansen said. "She knows how to push me to perform my best, but still have fun while doing it."

 

With all the success Rachel has had so far, it's hard to look to the future without setting high goals. Jansen hopes to be a national champion in the shot put and discus and also become an all-American.

 

"I try to live my track career more day to day, but looking ahead, those are the things I would like to accomplish before I graduate," she said.

 

As far as after college, Jansen is hoping to compete around the world.

 

"The summer after I graduate are the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. That would be my ultimate goal - to qualify for the USA National team," she said.

 

With the accomplishments she's already made, its only natural to expect more big things from this Panther thrower.