Riverdale, N.Y. -- Manhattan College senior shot putter Milan Jotanovic and junior hammer thrower Seid Mujanovic are heading off to Fayetteville, Ark this week to take part in the 2009 NCAA Outdoor National Track and Field Championships, which are being held June 10-13. Jotanovic, who will be participating in his fourth NCAA National Championship meet, heads into the meet ranked third in the NCAAs in the shot put, while Mujanovic is ranked 14th in his hammer throw event.
Heading to practice late last week to prepare for what he hopes will be a gold medal performance in Arkansas, Jotanovic spent some time with Manhattan Sports Information intern Bryan McCarthy for a Q &A session.
Q: At what age did you first begin to train seriously for the shot put?
Jotanovic: I started at the age of 13. My father brought me to my first practice. In Europe we start playing sports very young. It is different here because sports and school are separated opposed to Europe where sports sometimes are the priority.
Q: What sold you on Manhattan College, was it more the track program or the academics?
Jotanovic: Definitely the academics. I spoke to other students and here at Manhattan College sports are a hobby while academics are the main focus.
Q: Do you plan on training for the next Olympics?
Jotanovic: I am training right now and the Olympics is just another step for me. The world championships are soon and they are in the same rank as the Olympic games. But of course the Olympic games are special.
Q: What are your feelings as you go into the World Championships after the NCAAs?
Jotanovic: It is a lot of responsibility to represent your country (Serbia). It is a lot of pressure because I am a new developing athlete. I am coming from the NCAA which is a very competitive situation. At the worlds, I have to go up against the best throwers in the world.
Q: What would you say your greatest accomplishment has been thus far in your life?
Jotanovic: My greatest accomplishment is throwing over 20 meters, which is 66 feet. That puts me into the grouping of the top 20 shot putters. It is very flattering.
Q: Who has helped you the most in your quest to greatness as a shot putter?
Jotanovic: To be honest Dan Mecca (Manhattan College head track and field coach) and my coach from back home, who was always taking care of me.
Q: Who did you look up to the most as a child?
Jotanovic: I looked up to my father the most; he was a sporty guy, he liked all sports. He got me into sports and helped me develop.
Q: What are your plans for the future as you graduate from Manhattan College?
Jotanovic: Even before I came to Manhattan College I knew I wanted to continue to compete in the shot put after college. I am going to become a professional shot putter. In three years there is another Olympic Games and that's definitely a goal.
Q: How was your transition as you moved from Serbia to the United States, were there any serious issues?
Jotanovic: Not really, I never had any serious problems. The only problem is it was difficult to transition into a new type of society with a new type of language and a different type of education. As soon as I felt comfortable with all that I was good to go.
