April 25, 2011
Senior thrower Rudy Atang has put together an excellent senior season for the Notre Dame women’s track and field team in 2011. The Houston, Texas, native has participated in the weight throw and the shot put during her Notre Dame career and has emphasaised the shot put this season. Already this year, the pre-professional and anthropology major has recorded personal bests in the shot put and set the Notre Dame women’s record at the Alex Wilson Invitational on March 5, with a toss of 15.64 meters. That throw followed her previous personal best of 15.10 meters set on Jan. 28, at the Indiana Invitational. Moving into the outdoor season, Atang continued her strong season by breaking her personal best outdoor mark of 15.02 meters with a throw of 15.69 meters and a third-place finish at the Arizona State Invitational on March 27. Next up for the talented thrower is the BIG EAST outdoor track championships on May 6-8, at Villanova. Earlier this spring, und.com’s Sean Kaveney caught up with Atang to find out more about the senior thrower.
Why did you decide to come to Notre Dame? I switched my decision at the last minute to come to Notre Dame, but I am not sure why.
What is the most difficult part of being an athlete at Notre Dame? The most difficult part of being an athlete at Notre Dame is time management.
What made you get into track & field initially? I started when I was in fifth grade. I initially wanted to be a runner, but after they told me that I had to run a mile I quickly decided that I wanted to throw. I still ended up doing both.
Did you grow up as a Fighting Irish fan? No I did not grow up as a Fighting Irish fan.
North Dining Hall or South? I definitely prefer South Dining Hall.
What is your major and why did you pick it? I am a double major in science pre-professional and anthropology. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and I chose anthropology because I am interested in our development as people, and how our cultures influence who we are.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? My favorite place to study is the new athletic commons in the JACC.
How do you feel your game has changed or developed since coming in as a freshman? Freshman year I struggled. I definitely have a lot more confidence, and I have gotten a lot stronger both mentally and physically.
What is the last song you listened to? The last song that I listened to was “African Queen” by 2face.
What do you miss most about your hometown? The thing that I miss most about my hometown is the weather, but then again I am from Texas so I would have to say that everything is bigger and better in Texas.
What are your other hobbies outside of track & field? My other hobbies are reading, cooking, and eating.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? Strong-willed.
If you could give a piece of advice to an aspiring thrower, what would it be? The one piece of advice that I would give to an aspiring thrower would be that throwing not only requires strength, but it is very technical. Practice makes perfect.
What career do you intend to pursue when you are done competing for Notre Dame? I want to be a medical doctor when I am done competing for Notre Dame.
If you hadn’t chosen to compete in track & field, is there another sport you would have liked to play? If I was taller I definitely would have loved to play volleyball.
Favorite pre-game meal? Anything, I love food.
What has been your favorite memory of Notre Dame so far? My favorite memory is the day that I set my first Notre Dame shot put record.
If you could go to one destination for spring break where would it be? My choice for spring break would be to go home!
Do any specific meets that you have competed in during your career here stand out in your memory? In Mississippi at Ole Miss, I didn’t mark a single throw and was told I was walking back to ND.
What is the one thing that you are going to miss most about Notre Dame? The one thing that I am going to miss most is my teammates.