"Getting to Know" is a weekly feature on VCUathletics.com that will highlight student-athletes from the 17 intercollegiate athletic programs that make up "Ram Nation."
Each edition, VCU Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant Blaze Byrd chats with selected student-athletes from various programs to get inside their world and let us know a little more about them.
This edition of GTK features junior Ryan Coles of the men's track & field team. The New Kent, Virginia native has been part of a power surge from the Throws squad, which incudes being an NCAA qualifier in the shot put last spring, alongside teammate Brandon Ruffin. He is VCU's outdoor record holder in the shot (17.79m) and discus (52.58m). He is also second all time in the outdoor hammer.
With the indoor track & field season in full swing, Coles and his teammates will be heading to Akron on Friday to compete. He was nice enough to take a few minutes with Byrd to give us a little more of an in-depth look at himself.
How did you decide VCU was the right place for you?
It was close yet far enough away from home for me. I also wanted the diversity.
What are your goals for this season (personally and for the team)?
My personal goals are to win conference in the shot put indoor and outdoor as well as the discus. Hopefully the points I contribute will help contribute to a team title.
What is your favorite athletic moment at VCU?
My favorite athletic moment at VCU was when I broke the school records in the shot put and discus within the same weekend at the IC4A meet in Princeton, NJ.
What is your favorite class that you've taken at VCU?
My favorite class that I have taken at VCU has to be HPEX 350 – Nutrition.
Beyond sports, where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years I see myself married and working for a University Sport's Team.
What is one thing many people do not know about you?
I love being theatrical and a goof. I love making people smile.
Is there a professional athlete, or former player, whose skills you emulate?
There is no one in particular that I emulate, I just try to create greatness with the help of my coach Ethan Tussing.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet and why?
I would like to meet Bruce Lee because he was so iconic.
Quick hits- Favorites
Movie- The Fifth Element
TV Show- Game of Thrones
Food- Grilled American Cheeseburger
Place to eat in Richmond- Village Café
Place to see in Richmond- Belle Isle The Rocks
Musical artist- T-Pain
Sport (other than the one you play at VCU)- American Football
