Louisville throws coach Dale Cowper is quickly becoming one of the top young coaches in the country. Last month, Cowper's pupil D'Ana McCarty won her second straight NCAA title in the weight throw and his success has continued into the outdoor season. Cowper was himself a successful thrower, earning an All-American honor in both the hammer throw and weight throw while at Western Michigan University. He also threw nearly 60-feet in the shot put. After finishing his eligibility in 2002, Cowper spent four years at Division I Cal State-Northridge and then moved on to Louisville. Last season, Cowper had nine throws earn 16 bids to the NCAA regional championships and six athletes qualify for the NCAA championships. CollegeHammer.com had the chance to exchange a few questions with Cowper at the start of the outdoor season.

CollegeHammer.com: Congrats on another indoor title for D'Ana McCarty. How does it feel to coach a two time national champ?

Dale Cowper: D’Ana is a terrific student to work with and I couldn’t be more excited for her! She has done a remarkable job getting to know this event over the last two and half years, and I know there is a lot left in the tank for the future.

CollegeHammer.com: Obviously this year's title was a bit different than last year, where she entered the meet as an underdog. Did you focus on anything different to continue to improve this year?

DC: D’Ana is still at a very young training age within the event so we are continuing to build basic throwing principles in each session. The first two years of her collegiate career, we primarily focused on improving her conditioning and functional strength levels. This year, we have tied in a greater emphasis on event specific strength.

CollegeHammer.com: More than winning two titles in a row, D'ana has impressed me by throwing a PR at the past two NCAA indoor championships. Do you do anything special leading up to the meet that has helped her step up when it counts?

DC: Our approach to every weight competition over the last two years has simply been to compete for the win. D’Ana accepts this attitude and embraces weekly competition.

Our training approach to the championship season is very typical. The volume reduction and intensity increase is usually pretty simple for any athlete to handle. I think the difference for her is found in her mental approach. It can be a difficult task for an athlete to believe the work has been done and now it’s time to let the cards fall where they may.

CollegeHammer.com: Taking a step back, you started your coaching career out west at Cal State Northridge and had a lot success in a short time there. How have you found the transition back to the Midwest?

DC: I inherited a great group of young throwers at Northridge. My first couple of years simply built on the foundation that had been established by Don Strametz, Glenn McAtee and a host of previous Matador coaches and student-athletes. I learned a great deal throughout the four years I was at CSUN and was fortunate to leave for a good opportunity here at Louisville.

The transition itself was pretty simple and I wish I could take credit for that! The truth is, I went from working for a veteran head coach at Northridge to working for a veteran head coach at Louisville. Don Strametz and Ron Mann both know how to make smooth changes; I just went along for the ride. My role has stayed consistent, recruit and coach.

CollegeHammer.com: While D'ana has taken home some national titles, Jere Summers is perhaps the best all-around thrower in the nation. How do you balance time between the different events for her? Is there more focus on one this year or looking into the future?

DC: Throughout Jere`s career we have focused on the discus as her primary event, shot as the secondary, and the hammer/weight third. She loves to throw the discus but I believe she has just as great of potential in the hammer over the long run. In a normal competition week, she will get three discus, two shot put, and two moderate volume hammer sessions.

CollegeHammer.com: What are some of your throwing squad's goals for this upcoming outdoor season? Other than D'ana and Jere, are there other throwers we need to keep an eye out for?

DC: Our goal is to challenge for the Big East team championship and finish the season off with a strong national representation in the throwing events. The women’s group will certainly be led by Jere` and D’Ana. Additionally, Khadija Abdullah is healthy again after breaking her foot at last year’s US Jr. Championships. Her best put was 15.90 as a freshman last season, and she’s going to get stronger as the outdoor season progresses. Lindsey Cook is also progressing pretty well in the hammer. She was able to throw right at 60’ indoors and I expect 62 meters or better from her outdoors. Jessica Shepherd should also contest for some Big East points in the hammer. Our lone freshman, Amashi-Ali Kendall has a season best of 15.16 in the shot put and I think she will be in contention for the junior titles in the shot and discus.

On the men’s side, fifth year senior Steve Hnat will lead the way. He has already gone 18.56 outdoors in the shot and holds a career best of 53.59 in the discus. Josh Greenwald is the returning Big East Champion in the men’s discus with a personal best of 57.86 and should approach 60 meters with the hammer. Weston Banks was the Big East Indoor Champion this year and also holds a best of 50.45 in the discus.

CollegeHammer.com: What is your favorite event to coach and why?

Honestly, I think I enjoy coaching whichever event is currently going well! The hammer, shot, and discus are all favorites at certain points in the year but the hammer is probably my favorite. Most of the hammer throwers that I have coached did not participate in the event throughout their prep career, so it’s a lot of fun to see them develop over the course of four or five years.

CollegeHammer.com is a published by the non-profit Evergreen Athletic Fund and edited by Martin Bingisser. Please consider donating to help support the site.