There is always a little extra incentive to perform when something purple is spotted in Pullman, and this weekend that incentive spreads to the Cougar track & field team as Washington comes to town.

Sophomore hammer thrower Travis Pickett has been waiting a long time for this meet.

“It was tough competition last year, and this year it’s a lot closer, I think,” Pickett said. “I’m hoping for a big throw, and I’m excited to get a chance to win.”

For Pickett the theme of work ethic, a focus on technique and seeing improvement every day has allowed him to take major strides at meets this season.

“Coming in as a freshman it’s a big new world and you don’t know how to compete as well,” Pickett said. “Now, I know how to compete. I know when to shut off thinking about technique and then finally getting after it, and trusting that I’m going to get that throw out there.”

Pickett said the hardest part about the hammer throw is getting down the technique, and it is something that he has put a huge emphasis on during practices this year.

“I use a lot of different variations of weight from 14, 16, 18, even 20-pound balls because heavier balls bring out imperfect form even more, so you can narrow down what you need to work on,” Pickett said.

Last weekend, Pickett won the hammer throw event with a personal record heave of just more than 189 feet. By the time the Pac-12 Championships roll around next month, Pickett said he hopes to continue to up that number into the 190 range and qualify for the championships.

His throwing coach, Debra Farwell, said Pickett’s work ethic has elevated him from an average thrower to a Pac-12 and potential NCAA first round competitor.

“He has a tremendous feel for technique and the ability to make his body respond to technical changes,” Farwell said. “I look forward to our practice season every day due to the fact that he always leaves practice better than he was before practice.”

Pickett said Farwell is a motivator and is always pushing him, believing in him, and making him go the extra mile.

“Just knowing that we are going to get through the bad days and bad weeks and that next week will be better,” Pickett said. “That’s helped me improve my technique a lot because some days you just can’t get it, but you have to know that next week and tomorrow is going to get better.”

Pickett also said he really matured over the last three months, learning how to speed up his spins and push the ball better, which is a reason for his recent success.

“It’s come down to that a lot, and it’s gotten me to just shut off the brain process and just say to myself that I need to get it going, start moving faster, pushing it, and getting a big toss,” Pickett said.

As soon as the summer hits, Pickett will continue to work in hope of reaching 205 feet and placing in the top at the Pac-12’s next year.

Saturday will mark the last opportunity to see the Cougar track team in Pullman before the Pac-12 Championships next month.