Erin Reese is on the journey of a lifetime, on her way to the Paris Olympics to represent Team USA as a Hammer Thrower.

She is a graduate of Indiana State University graduate from Mount Prospect, Illinois, who met Joseph Barnes, a 2017 Brownstown Central graduate and third-place finisher at state in shot put in 2017.

The two of them met while attending ISU in Terre Haute and eventually married.

Reese spoke about the feeling of representing Team USA in the 2024 games.

“The feeling is surreal. I’ve always looked up to the people that I am now on Team USA with but have struggled feeling confident enough in myself that I could really do this,” Reese said. “I feel more confident now, excited about competing on the biggest stage and proud to represent my country.”

Reese competed at trials in Canada, boosting her world rank after her third-place performance.

“I competed at a meet in Canada on June 30th to boost my world rank. I needed to win and to throw a season best. And I accomplished both,” Reese said. “I felt more confident about making the team after that, but I found out a few days later through a text saying “congratulations on being selected to make the team and it asked me for an address to send my gear kit too.”

Reese spoke about her third-place finish.

“I was obviously really happy to place third because I knew that presented me with the opportunity to make the Olympic Team, but it was very confusing in the moment as well because I didn’t have the world rank that would qualify yet,” she said. “I was also slightly disappointed in my distance I threw because I expected more of myself. So, I was a mix of emotions.”

Reese is expected to compete at either 3 a.m. or 5 a.m., Sunday depending on the flight she is on. The athlete was asked about the sport of hammer throwing.

“I think what draws me to hammer is it’s like a dance. It’s rhythmic, delicate, but also aggressive and powerful,” she said. “You feel amazing to finally see your hard work at practices produce huge throws in competitions and the best part is I am still learning the event.”

Her husband Joseph is her biggest fan and had plenty of success in track and field himself.

He was solid at track and field in high school, earning the chance to throw for the Sycamores in college. Barnes set records in the discus (170 feet, 2 inches) and the shot put (57-10), during his time at Brownstown Central.

He spoke about living in the same house as an Olympian.

“She has worked so hard, keeping her schedule busy. She deserves this honor, putting in so many hours of work,” Barnes said. “She never takes days off or takes vacations. She has always taken her training very seriously and I honestly feel like she’s been an Olympian since I met her.”

Barnes mentioned Erin doesn’t just get to work on her sport, she also volunteers her time for coaching, as well as working a full-time job, and putting in the effort to work on her craft.

“I can say most professional track and field athletes don’t get the luxury of just doing track and field,” Barnes said. “They have to work full-time jobs, and a stressful life. Erin works 16 hours a day every day and she never takes any days off and she really does put in the hours.”

Reese’s father-in-law is Joey Barnes who’s the chief of Carr Township Fire Rescue. Other than heading to Canada, this is the only time that Reese has been out of the country or in Europe.

“This has been a completely different experience for me,” Reese said. “Other than competing, I am looking forward to eating a croissant, drinking espresso, seeing the Eiffel Tower, and meeting people from all over the world.”

Joseph was asked about the journey of Erin becoming a professional athlete.

“She always believed she would be a professional hammer thrower,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve always felt that she was a professional athlete. She’s committed and it’s paid off. She does so much. I feel like I’ve always kind of known she would be this good.”

He said he doesn’t want a specific place, or medal, but that he’s beyond proud of Erin for getting to this point and having the chance to experience the Olympics.

“I feel like she needs to relax and enjoy this experience,” Barnes said. “The job isn’t finished, but this is the reward, and she can have fun. She is the hardest working person I’ve ever met in my life.”