The Daily Iowan: How did you learn to throw the javelin?

Mike Stein: I was a baseball pitcher and saw how javelin throwers would train and just thought that sport would fit me better. I thought I would rather not worry about throwing accurately and just throw the furthest I possibly can.

Who taught you how to throw?

I reached out to an Iowa State javelin thrower, and we just sent messages back and forth. I bought a javelin on Amazon. Everyone thought I was crazy. I just became my own coach since it wasn’t a high school sport.

When did you start this process?

I was a sophomore in high school. I was doing a whole bunch of throwing programs for baseball and stuff, but the javelin looked cooler. Plus, it was more fun.

What drew you to Iowa?

I really liked the coaches here. Coach Ray Robinson is the throws coach, and my visit with him went super well. I also liked the strength coach Cody Roberts. I was thinking that there was no way that I [could] go to Iowa and [not] make the Olympics. I didn’t get that feeling anywhere else.

What did people in your hometown think?

People didn’t really know what I was doing. I was throwing in a random field in town where people would drive by. It was pretty unheard of in Okoboji, but people were supportive.

What do you miss about back home?

Okoboji is really the best in the summer. When I go home, I am a boat driver for hire, so that’s my job. I like going home to boat, see my family, and be on the lake. That’s what I miss.

What are your goals for the future?

I really want to see how far I can take it. I set my goals super, super high. I’m not afraid to say I want to set the world record or win Olympic gold. I know you have to shoot well beyond what you want to be in the question for it.