Nov. 25, 2008

Story by Megan Holt, South Carolina Media Relations

South Carolina throwers may live and breathe track, but they often have an interesting and unique life away from the circle. Aimee Kodat, a redshirt sophomore, recently met the President of Slovakia at a reception at the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C. Having grown up in former Czechoslovakia, she was excited to attend to hear Slovak music and taste authentic food, like potato salad, duck and sauerkraut, and strudel.

While at the reception, Kodat had an opportunity of a lifetime. She was given a photo op with Slovakian President Ivan Ga?paroviÄ and his wife.

“He was meeting and mingling with everyone,” she said. “He was real nice and wanted to talk. He gave opportunities for pictures.”

Kodat moved to Czechoslovakia when she was three. The country split while she was there and she grew up in Czech Republic, although her father has kept a lot of connections with Slovakia.

Throughout the years, Kodat has made an effort to stay involved in her home country. For the past four summers, she has worked with Young Life in the Czech Republic. Each summer, Young Life offers an English camp for the kids.

“It would give them a chance to practice their English,” she said. “It would also give them an opportunity to learn about God through Young Life.”

During the camps, Kodat focused her time on the sports track. She had an opportunity to demonstrate her passion for sports while working with the kids. She played baseball and taught the kids how to play American football. One summer, Kodat lived in the Czech Republic for six weeks and participated in a club on Wednesday nights with the kids.

When back in the states, Kodat has a lot on her plate. From schoolwork and tests, to practice to training for nationals, she is definitely busy.

“It’s all about time management,” she said. If I know I have a couple of tests in the same week, I start studying in advance. It’s important that we plan in advance.”

Despite everything going on around her, Kodat does a good job of keeping her focus and goals in sight.

“My goal is to throw consistently fifty meters in the discus,” she said. “And, go to nationals in the discuss and continue to improve in all my events. I would like to see dramatic change and improvement in my shot put performance and hammer.”

Whether she’s on the track or off the track, Kodat’s passion for throwing is evident.