by By Dan Ninham
The recent US Olympic Trials in the field event of the hammer throw didn’t focus on who made the final spot as much as who didn’t.
Janee’ Kassanavoid was in the top three going into the finals and ended up in fourth place and a short distance from being on the podium.
The Olympics will have to wait another four years. Janee’ Kassanavoid is not waiting and is competing in Europe the following week. She not only has training and competition goals but she has extensive plans to be world class.
According to her Facebook page post, Janee’ said: “Anyone can measure weight, height, physical strength and speed. But you can’t measure commitment, persistence or the instinctive power of the muscle in your chest, your heart. That’s where your true work begins, understanding what you want to achieve and knowing what you’re willing to endure to get it. I am a KASSANAVOID, born relentless. This is not the end of me but the beginning …
I want to share my greatest appreciation to everyone who has supported me on this journey. The man who built me, Greg Watson, who believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. To all my family and friends.
In order to have what you really want, you must first be who you really are. Proud to represent my tribe, my culture and my heritage. Still learning, still growing and that’s the beauty we call life. Still we rise up!”
Janee’ Kassanavoid grew up in Lawson, MO. She currently lives in Baton Rouge, LA and trained with her coach, the assistant track and field coach for LSU, Greg Watson. She plans to soon follow her coach to his new job at Kansas State University.
Janee’ is a member of the Comanche tribe. She has quickly come on the scene as being recognized in Indian Country as the next world class athlete. She has the credentials and the empowered mindset to make a difference.
Janee’ attended Kansas State University. She was a 3-time Big XII Champion, 4-time All-American in the Weight Throw and was also the Hammer Throw School Record Holder.
She also attended Johnson County Community College where the track coaches introduced her to the hammer. She ended up being a NJCAA national champion. She then transferred to Kansas State University.
As a professional, Janee’ is currently ranked fifth in the world and fifth all-time in the USA.
“I couldn’t do what I do, at the level I’m at, if I didn’t know who I am,” said Janee’. “My entire life embodies by being Indigenous. I lost my father, a full-blooded Comanche, at a young age who is the sole reason for pursuing athletics and loving sports. He taught me what is strength, pride and resiliency.”
“I stand tall because of him and my culture. I hold that dear to my heart in everything I do including training, competition, work, school, etc. I represent more than me. I represent natives, communities, and our histories, and more so our culture,” added Janee’.
“I have no limitations,” said Janee’. “My goal is to be the best I can be and keep working on minor details to be unstoppable. Olympics, world championships, national records, world records, gold medals. I am very new to this sport … still.”
“Most of my family, friends and supporters do not understand the world I live in and the sport I am in,” said Janee’. “It’s very difficult to continuously help others understand why I chose to pursue a professional career in this sport when unfortunately 9/10 times there is no financial gain. I am not an athlete for the gratification or financial success and I am in it to accomplish greatness, inspire others and make history.”
“Represent more than myself on the biggest stage. Show the world Natives are still here today and fight for all that I believe in. I value my work ethic and ability to step up to the challenge. My mind and body are great but my heart and fight will push me further. Time will tell,” added Janee’.
“I do not have a mentor,” said Janee’. “My coach for the past eight years is Greg Watson. He is the first person to truly believe in me and give me a chance with a scholarship at the NCAA D1 level.
“Coach Greg taught me hammer on a deeper level. He developed me into one of the best hammer throwers in the US of all time and in the top 5. It wasn’t an easy road for me but I respect him for always pushing me, challenging me and supporting me.”
“Janee’ is a world class athlete but more importantly a world class person,” said Greg Watson who recently accepted a new position at Kansas State University. “She personifies the example of working hard for everything she has achieved. As a coach, she makes my job easy because she comes to practice every day ready to give 110%. There is very little motivation that she needs from me because she is very intrinsically motivated herself!”
“I am very proud of the example she sets for others and the role model that she is for a younger generation!” added Greg.
Janee’ talked about the challenges she has faced: “I’ve faced a lifetime of obstacles, but isn’t that what life’s about? I don’t want to romanticize the struggle we’ve all had in our own fair share of events. But how I can explain my journey through this sport, in this event is specifically is time. I went through multiple knee surgeries each year in college. I didn’t start throwing hammer until my freshmen year of college. In accumulation of knee surgeries with time off, experience and competitions, I’ve only really been throwing for six years rather than real time eight years. In hammer many athletes don’t peak until their late 20’s and early 30’s. Most Europeans start throwing around age 10 to 12 years old. I’m very late to the game. For me, that’s a challenge I like to be the best earlier than most. But time usually makes or break people. I’m willing to see it through.”
Janee’ is continuing to plan her training and competition plan for the big picture. There is a European meet on July 5th at the Hungary Grand Prix.
“Plans are the same,” said Janee’. “Still compete and train through the summer and essentially make money in international meets and improve my world ranking. My coach and I are going back to Manhattan, KS indefinitely for training as he took his K-State coaching position back. I will be back at my alma mater to train closer to my family in Kansas City and be a volunteer coach.”
The Empowered Youth Development Initiatives program has also offered Janee’ to go on a two week fall tour of Minnesota and Wisconsin schools and communities with native students in attendance.
“It’s not about the name on the front,” said Janee’. “It’s about the name on the back. Everything I do and have accomplished is because of it, my family and my dad … my heart and soul.”
“I want to be remembered,” said Janee’. “But also make a difference.”
Photo Credit: Joshua Gurnick (USATF IMC)
