Southall May Be Used to Taking Home Gold, but Never Stops Testing Her Limits

By Ms. Caitlin E Morrison (Army Medicine)October 3, 2014

Army women sweep the shot put competition at the 2014 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Colorado Springs, Colorado -- For the first time in Warrior Games history, the Army women's shot put team swept the competition at Gary Berry stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This win, on top of a blowout in discus gave Veteran Monica Southall of Suffolk, Virginia, her fifth and sixth Warrior Games gold medals in field events, to add to her two golds from the inaugural Invictus Games in London last month.

"The competition was much different this year," said Southall. "There are really good throwers here that pushed me to compete at my highest level."

Despite this challenge, Southall landed a medal, along with her two Army teammates and Warrior Games newcomers, Sgt. Kadina Baldwin of Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Sgt. Jessica Brennan of Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

"I was so proud of them," Southall smiled. "It was great to have the two of them up there on the podium with me."

Even though Southall is accustomed to bringing home gold, she never stops pushing herself. "I throw better every single year," she said.

This personal drive is something that field coach Eric Whalen has noticed during this competition. "They're doing great," said Whalen enthusiastically. "I'm happy everyone's doing their best and setting new personal records."

Southall's two biggest supporters in the stands were her mother, Barbara Southall and aunt, Mary Ward, who travelled from their hometown of Suffolk, Virginia. "We are loving it here. This is our second time watching her compete," said Ward, who came to Colorado right after cheering on her niece in London. "We're so proud of Monica," beamed mother Barbara. "That's my girl!"

Related Links:

2014 Warrior Games