FAUSTINA AMOAKO has unfinished business to take care of

By IAIN KING

FAUSTINA AMOAKO has unfinished business to take care of.

A year ago in the AUS Championships Women's Weight Throw the Capers Track and Field athlete had to swallow the bittersweet taste of a conflicting cocktail of emotions. Pride and disappointment.

She finished a hugely creditable fourth in Saint John, New Brunswick, 13.41 metres was validation of how far she has come in an exacting event but it placed her just outside the medals.

Now, as the preparations for AUS 2024 in Moncton later this month intensify, going at least one place better is firmly in the mindset of the former Riverview High School student.

Faustina revealed: "I can see improvement in the way I throw and if it is setting goals then I want to end this season knowing I gave my very best and left nothing out there.

"I know from my numbers that I can be high up in the AUS rankings when it comes to medals.

"I was proud to finish fourth but it is one of those results where you are almost there.

"You are close but you don't get a medal and, yes, I do hope it happens this time.

"It was bittersweet to finish there but it gave me another reason to come back for one last season.

"I know a medal is close and I can see it there, I just have to try and grab it.

"It's kind of like unfinished business, I want to be satisfied with everything I have done in this program when I leave."

Amoako has already earned a degree in Chemistry at her hometown University and is back for Year Five to complete more education that will drive her towards a career in medicine.

The Montreal-born athlete has been in Cape Breton for a decade now, growing up on the island.

She attended junior high school in Whitney Pier and is a product of Riverview where her love of athletics was first nurtured.

Faustina recalled: "Back in my days at school in the Pier I found gym class to be a release that I loved.

"I found a sense of adventure in sports and played soccer and tennis over the summer.

"Towards the end of high school there was a club at Riverview and we'd compete locally and I found I loved the throwing events."

Amoako, fourth in the Shot Putt with 10.51metres in the recent UNB University Invitational in Saint John, New Brunswick, competes in that discipline and the Weight Throw event.

The Shot needs no explanation for Track and Field fans, Weight Throw is the outdoor Hammer event adapted for indoor safety.

That means a shorter handle and a heavier 20lb ball to adapt the technique to.

Faustina admitted: "When I started to really focus on the throwing events that's when I started to truly concentrate on the details of my technique by watching the Olympics on TV.

"Before that I was just a kid having fun! Then you realise the little things that give the best the edge.

"The sprints and the distance races will always get more attention but I just find the Field events beautiful to watch.

"I watch every spin, how they throw, the point of release, there's something special in that process for me."

In a typical week now Amoako combines four squad practices with the tough work in the Weight Room.

Squats and bench presses, specific techniques targeted to give her power in her arms when it matters most.

Her schedule is carefully managed by Throwing Coach Joe LeBlanc who has mentored her career since the program gained Varsity status.

Earlier this month in that UNB University Invitational Amoako's technique took her to third spot in the Weight Throw with 14.60metres.

Faustina smiled: "It's all designed to make the weight feel like nothing when I pick it up on competition day.

"I lift with the team or the other throwers, it's a niche sport and it's great to have team-mates to encourage you.

"I like having my schedule in front of me to know what I can improve on each week and now I have specialised coaching which is vital."

Faustina's dreams of being a doctor or finding another rewarding career in healthcare drive her on academically.

Finding that balance is always key for student athletes and she confessed: "Classes don't get any easier and managing life during competition time can be tough for us.

"Yes, you will find me with my nose in a book on the team bus but remember I have been here when this was just a track club.

"So I appreciate what everything that we have now as Varsity team.

"There was a time when I was CBU's only thrower but now I have this wonderful support network behind me willing me on."