Seymour, who graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in education, recently turned in a fifth-place finish in the hammer throw with a toss of 54.69 meters at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships held July 13-16 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
A member of the Jamaican National Team, the A.I. duPont High School graduate has enjoyed an outstanding career in the hammer throw since graduating from UD, where she holds the number three all-time best throw with a toss of 50.28 meters in 2000.
“I started training full-time this year to maximize my potential as an Olympic hopeful for the 2008 Olympic Games,” Seymour said. “My competition season will start in January, with four indoor competitions, and will wrap up in July with eight outdoor competitions.”
During the past season, Seymour won a pair of gold medals, three silver and two bronze medals at various competitions, including first place at the Modesto (Calif.) Relays on May 5. She also earned silver medals at the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif., on April 14 and at the Jamaican Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 23 in Kingston.
Seymour currently resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where she pursues a rigorous training schedule as part of her dream of earning a spot on the Jamaican National Team when it travels to Beijing next summer.
“For three hours each morning, Monday through Saturday, I do weightlifting, speed and agility training and stretching,” Seymour said. “Afternoon workouts include three hours of hammer throwing, drills and supplemental training. I also devote four hours a week to yoga, pilates (core strengthening), massage and chiropractic care.”
Before returning to a full-time training schedule, Seymour pursued a teaching career that included stints at the Tatnall School in Greenville and the UD Community Music School. She also has served as assistant track and field coach at the Charter School of Wilmington and at A.I. duPont High School.
“In 2002, I accepted an academic coaching position with the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame's 'Play It Smart' program in San Francisco,” Seymour said. “I also worked as an academic coordinator for the National Football League High School Player Development Program in Oakland, Calif., and I also started a private piano studio in 2004 to augment my academic counseling duties.”
When not training for the hammer throw, Seymour enjoys church, skiing, kickboxing, playing the piano, the beach and spending time with family and friends.
“My parents are retired and live in Florida during the winter, and in Delaware the other half of the year, which allows me to visit them a few times each year,” Seymour, said. “One of my yearly visits includes the annual Fall Delaware Throwers' Classic in September. I look forward to this event and spending time with my collegiate coaches and the current crop of UD throwers.”
During her athletic career at UD under Head Coach Sue McGrath-Powell, Seymour earned five letters as a weight thrower. She placed fourth in the hammer throw at the 1998 America East Conference Championships, and was 12th in the event at the 1998 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships and 16th at the 1997 ECAC meet. Seymour also is 12th on the all-time women's shot put list at UD, with a throw of 11.01 meters in 1997.
“Competing in athletics after college has taught me about dedication, discipline, respect, perseverance, persistence and
the competitive edge that UD track and field coach Larry Pratt always said that I had,” Seymour said. “I am blessed to have made many friends throughout this journey, and they all have contributed to my success.”
To follow Seymour's quest for a berth in Beijing, check out her web site at [www.calthaseymour.com].
Article by Jerry Rhodes