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The equation for power, he told her, was work over time.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
First, she takes a deep breath, then steps into the ring.
The more work she puts in each day, week, and year, the greater the payoff.
With time, all that would combine into a moment that would allow her to really shine.
But in 2022, after eight years of dedicated effort, Kassanavoid has clearly come into her power.
At the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, this summer, Kassanavoid wonbronze.
I want to show up, I want to work hard, and I want to make history.
And by posting nods to hercultureandheritage, shes hoping the next generation of athletes can envision themselves there too.
From an early age, she dabbled in everything from cheerleading andgymnasticsto soccer and softball.
But in 2003, when Kassanavoid was just eight years old, her father died of cancer.
Kassanavoid recalls feeding him ice cubes on his hospital bed in the living room in his final days.
Im a very quick learner, she says.
I feel like my strengths are speed, power, andbalance, from the background of sports I played.
Kassanavoid tried to juggle the schools culinary training with track and field.
I remember talking to my roommate and crying, she says.
But it just wasnt going to happen.
She chose to devote the majority of her time and energy to sports, which provided her scholarship.
After all, her brotherJosephhad played football there and her mom had recently moved nearby, to Kansas City.
Obstacles to Opportunities
Kassanavoids collegiate career had its ups and downs.
She entered the K-State program withsorenessin her knees and eventually developed a partial meniscus tear.
The constant setbacks and recovery were challenging, she admits.
But it never crossed my mind to quit or give up or be down.
Thats exactly what she did, making the most of her rehab time.
College was also when she connected more deeply to her native culture, something which was newer to her.
She didnt grow up around many of her Comanche relatives or participate in traditional activities.
By the time she graduated, shedwonthe 2018 Big 12 Championship in the hammer.
Kassanavoid was driven to find out just how much better she could be with consistent, injury-free training.
Kassanavoid made significant leaps during her first year as a professional athlete.
Every day I was training by myself and getting it done, she says.
I wanted to be ready, be prepared if the opportunity came.
For me, it was not that I was a failure or anything in that way.
One thing that helped: signing a contract with Nike shortly after.
The extra recovery is hard-earned.
All that, plus the support of her growing fan base, carried her into her Worlds performance.
For everyone, even myself, it was a resilient, powerful moment that it was all coming together.
On July 17, Kassanavoid took bronze at Worlds with a 74.86-meter throw.
When she went to claim her flag, coach Watson gave her a hug.
He told her that not only was he proud, but her dad was too.
Thats how I feel connection to [my dad] now, through sport.
Its why I work so hard and why I want to be the best, she says.
Hes not here to see me succeed and to see me compete; he never had that chance.
But Im always striving to make him proud.
She also continues forging deeper connections to her cultureand serving as an example of native success in sports.
Her spot in history secured, Kassanavoid has no plans of slowing down.
She still wants a shot at her Olympic dreamParis in 2024?
Los Angeles in 2028?
As long as shes healthy and happy, she says she will keep competing.
This isnt an end-all be-all, getting a medal, she says.
I have a lot more to go.
And Im super excited for that, knowing that this is just part of the journey.
