June 28, 2007
GoRedbirds.com: What is your most memorable childhood experience/memory?
Anton Walczak: The memories that stand out the most in my mind are just the vacations I had with my family...like going to Disney World or Cape Cod. I don't have any single key moments but probably just family vacations.
GR: What was your favorite television show growing up?
AW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
GR: If you could date any celebrity, who would it be?
AW: Jessica Alba.
GR: What CD is currently in your CD player/iPod right now?
AW: Fall out boy and My Chemical Romance.
GR: What would your perfect meal consist of, from beginning to end?br>
AW: Chinese Buffet like Mings. I would just go up there and start loading up crab legs and crab rangoon, you name it.
GR: If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would you live and why?
AW: I haven't been out of the country too much...I have only been to Canada really. I would have to say Cape Cod (Mass.).
GR: What's your favorite sport to play besides track?
AW: I go biking a lot.
GR: What are some adjectives that describe you?
AW: Hardworking and humble. I do not like to brag too much about what I do. It is usually my friends that tell everyone that I throw the hammer.
GR: What are your early predictions about the 2007-08 Redbird track season?
AW: I definitely see the team up and coming, we have a lot of freshmen coming in. We have almost doubled the size of our throwing team as well as the distance team due to the new freshmen. The new coaches have recruited very well. This is the start of a new level for the team.
GR: Tell us something Redbird fans don't know about you?
AW: I'm pretty much a big nerd when I'm not throwing. I build computers and draw comic book artwork
GR: What do you think the biggest difference is between high school and college track?
AW: The intensity...there are a lot of athletes in high school that are just doing it to be there. In college, you have to work hard to be there. It is not something that you can just walk in there and do, you have to do a lot to be there.
GR: What do you feel has been your proudest moment in your entire track career?
AW: That would probably be when I was at junior college. I won nationals twice and set the school and national record for junior college Division III.
GR: What personal goals do you have for yourself for the upcoming season?
AW: I am shooting for the school record which is 216 (feet) ... I am at 191 now. With the level of intensity that we are taking it up to this year, it could happen. Coach (Chakouian) didn't have enough time to work with us last year because he came in a little late, but he will be able to work with us more this year. I would also like to make it to nationals.
GR: Who has been a role model for you throughout your life?
AW: My parents... mostly my dad. He has a very good work ethic in a lot of areas that I don't necessarily follow but when it comes to practice I work really hard at it.
GR: Tell me one unique/interesting thing about yourself.
AW: I guess just that I like building computers and comic books because people don't usually think that about me...they usually see athletes just as big jocks but I'm pretty artistic and work with computers.
GR: As of right now, what has been your greatest accomplishment?
AW: Making it here to the track team. When I was in high school I didn't think I would be throwing past high school, but when I went to junior college I was decent at discus and shot put and had the opportunity to throw it there. I did alright but then I learned the hammer and picked it up and did well with it...this was just a place I never thought I would be...at least five years ago.
GR: Who would you trade places with for one day? Why?
AW: Bill Gates. To be able to do whatever I want, have tons of money and just...go nuts.
GR: What food will you never try or eat again?
AW: I'll eat most anything, but I won't eat mushrooms. They are slimy and they smell bad. I'll eat anything pretty much besides them.
GR: What is one thing you can't you live without?
AW: My friends would joke around with me and say the hammer, but I would probably say my computer.
GR: What has been your favorite memory at ISU?
AW: Last year my friends and I lived a house together. There were seven of us, three other guys and three girls. We lived in a house together until this past semester. I would say just the whole experience of living in that house, being with my friends, all the ups and downs, the parties and the drama. Overall, it was some of the greatest experiences and I saw the most interesting things.
GR: What is the first thing you would do with a $1 million?
AW: Probably start a throwing camp and just do that for the rest of my life. I would just be teaching kids how to throw.
