After shattering records throughout her career, Marysville Janae Hudson has something that won’t ever be broken — a track and field state championship.
The junior was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday for the week of May 29-June 3. She won the Division 2 state title for shot put with a throw of 42.7 feet on June 3. That distance was also a personal record.
The Times Herald recently caught up with Hudson to learn more about her.
Times Herald: How long have you been competing in the shot put?
Janae Hudson: I threw my seventh-grade year and was going to throw my eighth-grade year. But, obviously, (the pandemic) happened. And then I’ve thrown from freshman year until now.
TH: What makes you so successful in this event?
Hudson: I think it’s been training all year around with my trainer Michael Hale. And the community I have with him and the other throwers. We all try to compete against each other because we’re all at the same level. Then when I come into the school season, the amount of support I have from my teammates and coaches is insane. It makes it all the more enjoyable when I have my personal school team and my private team as well. My passion just keeps growing (for the sport).
TH: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Hudson: I actually have three. My No. 1 is Ryan Crouser. He’s the best male thrower in history. Another track and field athlete that I truly look up to is Opal Jackson. She competes for Michigan State and now has their school record. I’ve trained with her personally a few times and the atmosphere changes when she’s there. I love it when I get to train with her. For volleyball, I’d have to say Ali Bastianelli. She’s an alum of Marysville and helps us in the gym all the time. I love working with her on blocking and hitting, because she knows my position and brings a lot of positive energy.
TH: What do you enjoy doing outside of track and field?
Hudson: I don’t do lot outside of track & field, other than volleyball. But outside of sports would probably be camping and going to Cedar Point. Because Cedar Point is the best place on Earth. Some people say (Walt Disney World) is the happiest place on Earth — no, Cedar Point is. And camping is just relaxing. It’s nice to get out in nature.
TH: What was it like to win a state championship?
Hudson: It left me speechless. Oh my gosh, I’m choking up right now. I was the last thrower (to go) in the finals. Going into my last throw, I knew I had the farthest throw of the day. So I walk into the circle crying, because I knew I’d (already won the state title). I knew it was mine. So, it was probably my worst throw of the day. But I didn’t even care where it went. And then I come up and just hug my dad. I cried. Then I go over and see all my other family and my supporters — my coaches and teammates — my coaches are crying. My mom is crying. Everybody is crying, because they knew all of my work had finally paid off.
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
