Nerdal is currenlty ranked 4th in the hammer throw (Memphis Media Relations)

1. After setting another school-record in the hammer throw with your mark of 221-03 at the SEmotion Relays this past weekend, how has your development been in the ring so far this outdoor season?

I was expecting great things after the indoor season. I had a pretty good improvement during the indoor season. I have actually been focusing on the hammer throughout the whole year, so I was expecting to come out good. Practices have all gone well before the meet so I’m happy with where I am, but I still know that it is possible for me to throw further.

2. What will be your approach as we head into the latter part of the outdoor season?

I have had a pretty tough full week of training, but we are going to back off now. We have two big meets coming up so we’re going to back off just a little bit. I’m going to work on the small things and improve a little bit every day. Throughout the season I’m just going to try and stay healthy both on and off the track and I’ll be ready.

3. Originally from Bergen, Norway, what led you to enroll at Memphis and how has your transition into the U.S. collegiate system been for you?

I went to high school my sophomore year as an exchange student and I always knew I wanted to come back. I got a tip from a fellow thrower from Norway (Gaute Myklebust) about Coach Robinson and he recommended him. The transition was pretty tough last year with the new training and everything being new to me, but this year it is going a lot better.

4. As you've emerged as one of the favorites for the NCAA hammer title this June, do you keep up with your competition on the national scale?

First you have to take care of yourself. You can’t worry or do anything about what everyone else is doing. I check the results every now and then to see what they are doing, but it doesn’t really bother me or interest me that much. I just keep focus on myself because that’s the only thing I can influence.

5. Take us through what your basic training will be heading into this weekend. When will you begin to taper down in other areas such as the weight room?

This week is going to be a little less volume coming off a full week of high volume. It’s going to be less volume, more explosive and hopefully we’ll back off a little bit for Sea Ray. It’s a big meet for me and I am really excited about it.

6. Who are some of the athletes that you look up to for inspiration and advice?

That’s a tough question. As far as the mental aspect of it, I would say Adam Nelson. The way he approaches events and the way he competes and prepares himself. Everything about him, he is the perfect athlete, even though he is not in my event. He is a great inspiration for me.

7. We've seen plenty of hammer throwers from the past few seasons excel at the national stage, such as defending champion Jake Dunkleberger. With strong newcomers such as Walter Henning, how will their performances impact what you try to achieve each and every week?

I guess this goes back to the question you asked me before. It’s a great inspiration to see hammer throwers from all areas improve, but I don’t really focus so much on them. I try to focus in myself.

8. Looking back at your collegiate career so far, what have been some of the highlights and struggles that you've had to overcome in your event? What did you learn the most from each experience?

My best experience was NCAA regionals last year, where I qualified for nationals. That was a highlight of course. Probably the worst thing that happened to me was at nationals. I didn’t do very well and I really took it to heart. What I learned is that you have to be ready for the opportunity that you get. You don’t get very many opportunities; maybe one or two and you have to take them, so this year I am ready to take them.

9. What would you like to throw this season and are you looking forward to the Olympic Trials for your country?

I want to take every day one, one day at a time. I don’t want to think about throwing 80 meters. First, I want to throw 70 meters (about 230) and hopefully then I will be able to compete for the national title. The Olympic mark is a dream. It is not a goal, but it’s a dream. It’s possible but I don’t really think about it too much because you can get caught up thinking too much and you have to focus on today and not the future, but it’s definitely a dream.

10. It's a long and grueling season at the collegiate level. How do you find time to get away from it all and relax or have fun as a student-athlete at Memphis?

Well, I guess this year it’s a lot of fun in Memphis. Tonight we are playing for the national title(men’s basketball) and there is plenty to do in Memphis. As a student-athlete if you want to succeed in the classroom and on the track, you have to stay focused and everything else is secondary. I try to travel a little bit and maybe go downtown some, but it is very limited. I am focused on the track and in the classroom.