HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful day, and took the time to be thankful for all you have. I'm so very thankful for being blessed with so many wonderful people in my life. I've experienced things and places that I'd never even contemplated. I was able to visit Senegal, Crete, Italy, spend a week training with the world record holder, and be a part of the DecaNations team in Anncey, France. I was also in ESPN the Magazine, and attended my first red carpet event. (Good times!) Not only that, but my journey is just beginning and I get to experience it with each and everyone of you! As we enter the holiday season I know we're all going to be very busy, so I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how honored I am to do what I love, and share my story with you.
Love and Blessings,
Amber

ESPN

Its here, its here!!!! What's here? The Body Issue of ESPN the Magazine of course! I know I said it doesn't come out until the 18th, but I was misinformed. Its already on the newsstand. I ran out and grabbed a stack already. There's also a video online that can be found at: http://search.espn.go.com/2010-body-issue/video/6 of course you can watch both videos, but I only make a cameo in the second one. Shooting for the magazine was so much fun. I felt like such a rock star! They flew me in first class, and had a limo waiting for me at the airport. I had accommodations at a hotel overlooking Central Park and it was gorgeous! For the photoshoot, I had a make-up artist, a wardrobe stylist, and a whole production team. I was waiting for the other athletes to get there until I realized the entire day was for me, can we say speechless! I had a blast. It seemed like we took hundreds of pictures, and the end result in the magazine is really cool. I hope y0u all enjoy it. I'll make sure to fill you all in on how the premiere party goes. As always, thank you for sharing this journey with me!
Love and Blessings,
Amber

Season Wrap Up

Wow, what a year! I've had so much fun and had so many new and wonderful experiences I can hardly believe it. I was able to compete in new countries, was the only American to complete the IAAF World Hammer Challenge, finish with a world top 10 ranking, and win my first Outdoor National Championship Title. My last two meets of the year were probably my favorite two expeirences of the year. After leaving Germany, I spent a week in the little Italian town of Reiti. There wasn't a lot to do outside of training, but it was so pretty and peaceful that I didn't really mind. The town sits in the valley and is surrounded on all sides by very picturesque mountains. (I took some pictures and posted them to my facebook account. I'll put the links at the bottom.) The competition itself was not the most ideal setup for head to head competition. There were ten women in the Saturday competition and we all got 3 throws. But then only 4 advanced to throw on Sunday where they only got 4 more throws. As you may or may not know, you usually get either 4 throws with no final, or 3 throws plus three more throws in the final. Anyway, I took 6th in that comp and didn't compete Sunday. But I had a great time and watched Koji Murofushi of Japan launch the men's world leading throw, and a guy break the world record in the 800m AGAIN! After that I traveled to Paris, France where I trained with the world record holder in the men's hammer throw Youri Sedykh and his daughter Alexia. Alexia was fresh off of winning the very first Youth Olympic Games. We had some great training days and I learned alot. We worked on some concepts that I'm really excited to put into use next year.
My last meet of the year was the DecaNations meet in Anncey, France. I don't even have enough descriptive words to convey how pretty this town is. When I travel to different places I'm always taken aback at the beauty of the architure. So I have some pictures of random buildings as well. I don't know what most of them are, but they just looked really cool to me. Anyway, the meet was awesome and team USA did what we do best and won! I think the score was USA 133, Russia 90, Germany 89. Yea we kicked butt!
On another note...I'll be headed to my first red carpet even on Oct. 12th in NYC! Its the premiere of ESPN the magazine's "Body Issue" that hits a newsstand near you Oct. 18th!!!! I'm super excited to go. Its going to be a star studded event and I can't wait! I'm not sure what I'm wearing, but you all know I love the camera so there will be pictures to follow. Its been a great year, but I know the best is yet to come so stay tuned!

Love and blessing,
Amber

Adventures in Deutschland Part Deux

Hey everybody! Another good meet today. Almost everybody in the top 10 was here. I ended up in 6th place with a throw of 69 high. Again I had some big throws, but they were out of sector. I had a monster somewhere around 73m so I'm excited that i'm so close to something huge! Anyway, tomorrow will be a rest/relax day as I get to just be a track fan. The rest of the meet goes off tomorrow and its virtually a who's who of track and field. I don't have another meet until the 28th of Aug in Reiti, Italy. So it'll be training and seeing the sites. Love you guys!

Blessings,
Amber

Adventures in Deutschland

Hey everybody! We just finished throwing and I'm feeling pretty good about it. I finished 3rd behind Katrin Klass of Germany and Marina Marghive(?) from Moldavia . We all went 70+ except mine didn't count cuz they said i foot fouled, which i didn't! So my best throw ended up being a 68+. It was a strange format to begin with. We competed with the men, and instead of it being a great intense atmosphere all the Europeans started playing grab butt with each other. We threw woman, man, woman, man....so it was a bit of a cluster, and super slow! Not that any of that mattered much, just thought you'd want to know the background story. Anyway, I was the third female thrower and started off with a sector foul cuz I floated my right foot at the delivery. Next throw was smooth and fast, but I guess they didn't like it cuz they called it foul! Safety throw 65 cuz I was not going out with a NM, and then last throw was the 68. I felt like it was a little steep cuz it felt "strong" so I knew it wasn't going to be my best but it had good ball movement. I knew when I let it go that I needed to flatten it out though. So unfortunately, that was all the throws we got cuz I felt like I was building something good. On the other hand, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was talking with Katrin afterward and found out the hammer for Berlin is tomorrow, not Sunday. So I'll leave here (Konigs Wusterhausen) and catch a shuttle to the meet hotel in Berlin and just relax until the competition. Its not until 4:30 so I'm not really worried about it. Ok, so now I'm off to shower then eat and stay off my feet. Hopefully, the next hotel will have a wireless connection so I can stay in touch better. Love and blessings,Amber

California Invitational Relays

California Invitational Relays

Note how close this throw is to the Fence. Girl put a viewing hole in that fence next time!!!

Daegu and Sacramento

Have I ever mentioned to you all that I love throwing the hammer? I know it might be obvious, but I really do love this event. Its provided me the opportunity to travel to places I never even dreamed of going and to experience different things all over the world. My latest escapades took me first to Daegu, South Korea. That was one of the longest flights I've ever been on in my life! But I flew on Korean Air, and they're customer service is top notch so I was plesantly surprised. When we arrived at the airport we were greeted by translators provided by the meet organizers to direct us to our limo bus with the most comfortable seats I've ever put my behind in! LOL!! Our hotel was a really nice 5 star resort with every amenity you can think of, and I even lucked up on a private room. (most people doubled up) The competition was short sweet and straight to the point in its format. We each took four throws with no finals instead of the usual six. I started off a lot stronger than I did in Dakar and my throws felt better. My best was my third throw at 69.01 for 7th place. I felt a lot better finishing 7th in this competition than in Dakar because everyone was throwing farther. So again I'm encouraged that every time I'm seeing these women that are leading the world, I'm throwing better and better against them so when it comes time for world championships next year and the Olympics in 2012 I fully intend to be in the medal hunt.

Yesterday I competed in the California Relays. It didn't have all of the glitz and glam of the meet in Daegu but I got to see a lot of my friends from the US throws world that I haven't got to see much this year. So that's always a lot of fun. Even more fun is setting a new personal best of 71.94 on my first throw of the meet!!!! Then I followed that up with two more throws of 71.27 and 71.51, so it was hands down my best throws ever! As an icing on the cake runnerspace.com was there with some amazing coverage. If you go to their website and click on the California Invitational Relays you can get a list of the full results including VIDEO! And not just a video, but like five of them so big shout out to runnerspace.com!

My next meet will be Saturday June 5 in Myrtle Beach, SC at Doug Shaw Stadium at 2pm. So if you happen to be in the area stop by and hangout for a good time and some long throws. Or just to wish me a happy 29th birthday, LOL! Love you all!

Peace and Blessings,
Amber

On To The Next One

Dakar was amazing! I had the chance to go head to head with some of the best women in the world. I didn't throw as far as I had hoped, but the experience I took away was invaluable. I learned what steps I need to take to be successful even when I don't have the most optimal travel conditions. So I'm looking forward to the next trip which happens to be coming up in Daegu, Korea on May 19th. Its a long flight, but I'm looking forward to the competition. Not only do I get another chance to compete overseas, but this is also the site of next years World Championships. As you might be able to tell, I'm pretty excited. This season is shaping up to be one of the best ever.

Until next time, love and blessings!
Amber

*Pics from the trip to follow as soon as I can figure out the easiest way to upload them all*

Shout Out From Senegal!

Wow, I finally made it! I landed in Dakar, Senegal on the continent of Africa early this morning. I can't believe I'm here! The people have been incredibly friendly and I can't wait to compete tomorrow. I get to battle it out with some of the best hammer throwers in the world tomorrow, and I'm feeling good! There will be plenty of pics to follow so stay tuned!

Updates from the 52nd Annual Mt. SAC Relays

Saturday was another good day at the office for Amber. In a big field of throwers that were invited from around the country and the world. Amber placed 1st with a throw of 71.04m (233'01") Personal Record. Facing down some serious competition with some hard core competitors: Sultana Frizell, Britney Henry, Eva Orban, Loree Smith, Crystal Smith, Erin Gilreath, Megann Rodhe, and Sharon Ayala.

Good Job Amber and keep Throwin Long, and Throwin Strong.

B

Springing Into Action

Hey Everybody!
Spring is officially here and it feels great! The weather's changing, flowers are blooming, and hammers are flying! I had my season opener this past Friday and was pleased with my results. My winning throw came in the second round with a distance of 69.25m. It was so cool, to have my co-workers and some of my friends from Sports Doctors come and watch me compete for the first time.

I'm super excited for a new step in my career. I just found out that I was confirmed for two meets overseas. The first will be April 24 in Dakar, Senegal on the western coast of AFRICA!!!! I've always wanted to visit Africa and now someone is paying my way to go...how blessed am I?!! The second meet will be May 19 in Daegu, Korea the same place the 2011 World Championships will be held. So I get a preview of the venue before I compete there next year. Good stuff!! Until then I'll have a couple of meets stateside next Friday at Duke University, and then April 17 at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, CA. I love this time of year, LOL!

Peace and blessings,
Amber

So Happy!

Well I'm officially off of cloud 9 and putting my nose back on the grind. Its been a couple weeks since the Indoor Championship, and I'm able to finally absorb everything that happened. I'm extremely happy with my performance and had a lot of fun with the competition. Getting to be on ESPN was a real treat! If anyone missed it here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x03giz1q5s&feature=player_embedded

My outdoor season starts next Friday March 19th here in Myrtle Beach at the Shamrock Invitational at Doug Shaw Stadium. The "Amber Campbell Invitational Hammer" will begin at 11am. (Pretty cool huh?) If anyone is in the area I'd love to see you out there to enjoy a fun competition! This is going to be a great year, so here's to long throws!

Love and Blessings,
Amber

Quotes from Indoor Nationals

Amber Campbell, women's 20lb. weight throw

"This hands down was one of the best series ever. It felt great, the crowd was amazing, the ball was just flying. It felt amazing. (how it felt to open with the her best throw) Fantastic. You can never complain about opening up with your best throw ever. I was trying to focus on the things we have been working on in practice. It was mechanical. I was trying to hit the things that I have been working on, it was very step one, step two, step three. I guess I should do it like that all the time. (on her homecoming) My god parents are here and my uncle, I haven't seen them in years. It really is like coming home."

http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?duid=USATF_2010_02_27_18_11_50

Campbell's monster toss wins women's weight throw

2008 Olympian and former New Mexico resident Amber Campbell celebrated a happy homecoming by dominating the field in the women's 20-lb. weight throw.

Campbell ended the suspense in the competition on her first throw, which sailed to 24.70 meters/81 feet 0.50 inch, which is the third-farthest throw ever and gave her a fourth consecutive U.S. Indoor title and the lead in the 2010 USATF Women's Indoor Visa Championship Series with 1,213 points.

Campbell's closest pursuer was Loree Smith, who finished as the runner-up with a toss of 21.99m/72-1.75. Three-time U.S. Indoor champ Erin Gilreath was third with a best of 21.92m/71.11.

Indoor Finals Early Report

At 6:44 PM in Albuquerque Amber recorded a World leading mark of 81' 1/2" in her first Throw.

Go AMBER!!!!!

Away We Go!

Its finally here! I leave tomorrow for US Indoor Championships! Its being held in Albuquerque, NM at the convention center. After this past weekend's results, I'm really excited for the competition. Adding fuel to my fire, I just found out that I was voted USATF athlete of the week! You can find the full article here: http://www.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?duid=USATF_2010_02_24_13_19_47
I will be defending my Indoor Title for the 4th time and I am really excited about the Great Competition from American's Best Women.
Thanks for being part of the excitement!!!!
Amber

Women's Weight Throw Results U. South Carolina Invitational

Event 19  Women Weight Throw 

=========================================================================     

Name                    Year School                  Seed     Finals   

1 Campbell, Amber              Nike/Mjolnir          24.20m     24.32m     

2 Edwards, Monique             Citadel               16.12m     16.31m     

3 Radford, Breanna             South Caroli          14.30m     14.25m     

4 Green, Emily                 Citadel               14.56m     14.02m     

5 Roberts, Stacee              South Caroli          14.00m     13.22m     

6 Vuckovich, Katie             South Caroli          14.00m     13.21m     

7 Spivy, Amanda                Georgia Sout          13.95m     13.01m     

8 Fannon, Megan                Georgia Sout          12.51m     12.24m     

9 Johansen, Theresa            Citadel               10.84m     11.90m    

10 Thomas, Ashley               Georgia Sout                     11.83m    

11 Fuzy, Anna                   Citadel               13.10m     11.43m    

12 Herndon, Sarah               Georgia Sout          13.45m     10.39m    

13 Clifford, Jallisa            Benedict              10.55m      9.58m    

14 Nave, Whitney                Citadel                8.96m      7.35m    

-- Nixon, Gabrielle             Benedict              10.65m       FOUL    

Campbell's At it again

Carolina Track and Field To Host Gamecock Invitational

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The University of South Carolina track programs will host the Gamecock Indoor Open Saturday, Feb. 20, at the USC Field House on the corner of Marion and Whaley Streets. Field events will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the first running event scheduled to begin at 12 noon.

Two former Olympians will compete Saturday in South Carolina assistant coach Lawrence Johnson and Coastal Carolina volunteer assistant Amber Campbell. Johnson, in his third season at South Carolina, was a two-time Olympian in the pole vault in addition to being a seven-time U.S. national champion, four-time NCAA champion and six-time All-American.

Campbell recently competed for the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when she was the top American finisher in the women's hammer throw at 222'7 (67.86m). Currently in training for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Campbell is in the midst of attempting to break the American record in the weight throw. With a current personal best of 80'6 ¼ (24.54m) set when she won the 2007 USA Indoor National Championships, Campbell's goal is to reach the American record of 83'10 ¼ (25.56m) held by Brittney Riley. She is coming off a dominating win at the Millrose Games with a 2010 world-leading throw of 79'4 ¾ (24.20m).

In all field events, the women will lead off and will be followed immediately by the men's portion. Women's pole vault will begin the action at 10:30 a.m., with the weight throw and high jump both slated to start at 11 a.m. The shot put is set for 1:30 p.m. The running events will begin with the 55-meter hurdles preliminary round at 12 noon. Other running events include the 55-meter dash, mile run, 400-meter dash, 800-meter run and the 3000-meter run. The 4x400-meter relays are slated to begin at 4:20 p.m. and will be followed by the finals for the 55-meter hurdles and dash.

Saturday's meet will be the final run for the Gamecocks before competing in the SEC Indoor Championships, held Feb. 26-28 in Fayetteville, Ark. The NCAA Indoor Championships will also be held at the Randall Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville.

Amber's Result World leading mark of 24.32m!

Good Job Amber!!!

The Saga Continues

Happy New Year!

I know its almost February, but better late than never right?! LOL! 2010 is going to be a very exciting year and things are off to a great start! I opened my indoor season last weekend at Chapel Hill with a throw of 23.42m(76ft10in). I was very happy with that throw and I felt like it was a really solid series. I love throwing at that venue because its so intimate and friendly. That meet was the perfect setup for yesterday's competition in New York. I threw at the 103rd Millrose Games where I set a new meet record of 24.30m(79ft+)! We had a good crowd, that gave us competitors a lot of energy. And a special bonus for me was my brother Donnie was there cheering me on! I love when I get to throw in front of my family. Anyway, this meet is part of the Visa Championships that will conclude at the US Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, NM on February 27, 2010! Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers!

Love and Blessings,
Amber