Madison High alum and former Utah State great Chari Hawkins talks about becoming an Olympian

The third time was the charm for Chari Hawkins.

And what a reward it was for the former Utah State University track & field standout.

You see, Hawkins can now call herself an Olympian — a distinction she earned by placing second in the heptathlon at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which were contested last month at iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The five-time second-team All-American at USU will represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, which get underway Friday.

“It still feels surreal,” said Hawkins in an interview with The Herald Journal via email. “Becoming an Olympian has been a lifelong dream, and to finally achieve it at (age) 33 is truly a dream come true. At the Olympic Trials in 2016, I fell short. At the Olympic Trials in 2021, I thought it was my last chance of ever being able to call myself an Olympian and again, I fell short. There’s immense pride, accomplishment and a touch of disbelief. It’s a testament to decades of consistent hard work, overcoming setbacks and never giving up on myself.”

Hawkins will flew to Paris on Wednesday and will be there for Friday’s opening ceremonies. The native of Rexburg, Idaho, won’t compete until the tail end of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad as the two-day heptathlon is scheduled for Aug. 8-9.

In the meantime, Hawkins is thoroughly looking forward to participating in the opening and closing ceremonies, plus immersing herself in the full Olympic experience.

“It’s a chance to celebrate athletes from all over the world and soak in the Olympic spirit,” said Hawkins, who competes professionally for Brooks. “The memories are just as important as the competition. I am going to take it all in.”

Indeed, Hawkins is determined not to take any of her Olympic experience for granted. After all, the 33-year-old has traversed a long and winding road to secure this opportunity — a once-in-a-lifetime one even for the lion’s share of world-class athletes.

Simply put, it’s taken countless hours of tireless work and dedication for Hawkins to develop into a world-class performer. She was a really good heptathlete at USU, but never finished higher than ninth in her three appearances at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

When did Hawkins first start to think she had what it took to truly compete at a world-class level?

“Honestly, the belief came in stages,” she answered. “In high school and college, I knew I had the potential to be the best. But as I progressed to the next stage, I would become humbled quickly by all of the amazing athletes around me. Truly believing I could become a world-class athlete and Olympian took time, dedication and overcoming setbacks. The turning point was qualifying for the World Championships in 2019. That solidified my confidence and the rest is history.”

Hawkins finished third in the heptathlon at the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships in July of 2019 and was high enough in the world rankings to represent the U.S. at the world championships in Doha, Qatar, where she placed 12th. Since that breakthrough performance at outdoor nationals, the former Madison High three-sport athlete has earned the right to don the Team USA jersey at three other world championships — a pair of indoor appearances in the pentathlon and at the 2023 outdoor meet in the heptathlon.

Another breakthrough appeared last summer.

Hawkins not only placed eighth at the world outdoor championships in Budapest, Hungary, but accumulated a lifetime-best point tally of 6,366. That was Hawkins’ personal record in her signature event until she racked up 6,456 points last month in Eugene — a PR that was necessary in order to finish in the top three. Hawkins’ PR at USU was 5,750 points.

Hawkins has made significant strides in the heptathlon since she began working with former BYU head coach Craig Poole at the start of the 2022 season. The bulk of Hawkins’ training sessions with Poole take place in southern California.

“Craig Poole has been the perfect cherry on top for my success,” Hawkins said. “His 50-plus years of knowledge coaching the heptathlon events and his ability to individualize my program have been gamechangers. Because he and I are one-on-one, he doesn’t just throw a generic plan at me. He understands my strengths and weaknesses, and tailors each training to maximize my potential in each event. It is like a PhD class when him and I get together. He pushes me, challenges me and celebrates every victory, big or small. I wouldn’t be where I am without his expertise and unwavering belief. I am grateful for his experience and dedication to creating an Olympian.”

The 2022 U.S. indoor champion in the pentathlon takes a great deal of pride in holding her own against athletes significantly younger than her, some more than 10 years her junior. Hawkins is the oldest heptathlete currently in the top-18 of the world rankings. She is nearly 10 years younger than reigning U.S. Olympic Team Trials champion Anna Hall, who is currently ranked first in the world and was the silver medalist at last year’s world outdoor meet.

“Being 33 in this sport, especially a demanding one like heptathlon, comes with its challenges,” said Hawkins, who is ranked 10th in the world heading into the Olympics. “But the fire still burns bright. I also tell myself that at this moment, I am the youngest I will ever be, so capitalize on the opportunities in front of me. I believe the heptathlon take experience to really master the seven events. My improvements have all come from personal experiences during my career and the experiences keep stacking. Every year of improvement fuels my motivation. Competing against athletes a decade younger keeps me sharp and constantly pushing my limits. It’s a testament to the dedication of my coaches and the power of experience.”

The daughter of Bill and Peggy Hawkins has improved in each of the seven events of the heptathlon since making a name for herself at USU, but none more so than the two throwing events − the shot put and javelin. Hawkins PRed in each of these disciplines a month ago. She came through with marks of 48 feet, 1.75 inches in the shot put and 161-8 in the javelin.

Hawkins has improved by a whopping 26 feet in the javelin since graduating from USU with a bachelor’s degree in family consumer science education and nearly 10 feet in the shot put — a noteworthy accomplishment for someone who is built like a hurdler and jumper.

“It’s all about technique,” Hawkins said when asked about her meaningful strides in the throws. “While my build might lend itself more to hurdles and jumps, focusing on efficient throwing mechanics has unlocked a whole new level in the shot put and javelin. Thousands of hours of drills, video analysis and targeted strength training have made a huge difference. I have also had the opportunity to learn from so many coaches that have given me the knowledge to reach my potential. There is no shortcut — just a lot of hard work.”

Not only did Hawkins PR in the javelin and shot put last month, she threw down a lifetime-best effort in the 800 meters, traditionally one of her weakest events, to punch her ticket to Paris. Hawkins clocked in at 2 minutes, 14.76 seconds, which was at least five seconds faster than she typically completes the race in and nearly 10 seconds better than her best time at USU.

“My practices were perfect leading up to the trials and I knew it was an ace up my sleeve,” Hawkins said. “I just needed to trust myself that my body was ready to do what it needed to do.”

The 800 is the final event in the grueling heptathlon, and a special performance from Hawkins was necessary in order for her to become an Olympian.

“The 800 has definitely been a work in progress when you look at my results over the years,” Hawkins said. “So, PRing at the Olympic Trials was beyond gratifying, especially with the Olympian tag attached to it. It showed all the extra miles and mental focus were paying off. Conquering that event in such a high-pressure situation was a huge confidence boost.”

Conquer she did and her reward was something most athletes only dream about — a spot in the Olympics. And now Hawkins has the chance to represent not only her hometown, but USU, which brings her much joy.

“Rexburg and Utah State hold a special place in my heart,” said Hawkins, who still sits atop the Aggie record books in the heptathlon, pentathlon (4,194 points), indoor high jump (6-0), outdoor HJ (5-11,25) and 60 hurdles (8.30), plus ranks second in the outdoor long jump (20-0.25), third in the indoor LJ (19-9) and fifth in the 100 hurdles (13.44). “Those were the years where my passion for track and field truly ignited. Growing up and going to school in a small town gave me an opportunity to really excel and learn to believe in myself. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the incredible people, coaching staff and the supportive community at USU. I know at all times, they have my back and want the best for me and have always been there to support my journey. Representing them on the biggest stage is an honor, and I hope to inspire young athletes back home.”

USU will always be remembered as the place the former high school volleyball and basketball player fell in love with fellow track & field athlete CJ O’Neal. The couple first met in 2010, got engaged in 2017 and were married in September of 2020. O’Neal, who is from Salt Lake City, competed as a sprinter, long and triple jumper for the Aggies, and was a four-time academic All-Western Athletic Conference or Mountain West selection.

“CJ’s support has been invaluable,” said Hawkins, who was a three-time academic all-conference honoree herself. “There is absolutely no way that I would be an Olympian without his support. This decade long journey takes a village and I needed him next to me the entire time as my north star to guide me. He truly understands the demanding schedule, the sacrifices and the pressure that comes with being an athlete. His experience competing also helps as he knows the level of effort physically and mentally to be an athlete. He’s not just a husband, but a true partner that has been there with me through this wild ride. We met at USU, which is another amazing reason I am glad that I attended school in Logan.”

From a small town girl to an All-American at USU to a world-class athlete, indeed, it’s been quite the journey for Hawkins. So she plans on making a splash in Paris.

“My primary goal in Paris is to perform to the absolute best of my ability,” Hawkins said. “My journey is unique and I want to reach my fullest potential. We have some amazing athletes competing in the heptathlon and I consider myself among the best in the world. Never count me out.”