Feature: Marble Dyson; Throwing Self-Expression into Track & Field

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Samantha "Marble" Dyson isn't your ordinary track & field thrower. In fact, there isn't anything ordinary about the 2022 Southland Conference hammer throw champion, and if you were to ask her, she'd probably tell you it's the key ingredient to her success. 
 
Following her winning throw at the outdoor conference championship, Marble stood tall atop the podium sporting a half blond and black hairstyle, long colorful nails resembling those of the late Olympic medalist Florence Griffith Joyner, with New Orleans across her chest and a gold medal in hand.
 
Track and field isn't only a sport Marble excels in, it's her avenue of self-expression. 
 
A native of Punxsutawney, Pa., a rural town about the size of a women's cross-country course, Marble relied heavily on her imagination to push her towards a life that existed outside of the only city she knew. She accredits her adopted mom for instilling in her the notion that there were no limits to what she could achieve.
 
"When I was younger, I wanted to be a handful of things: an astronaut, a makeup artist, a professional baseball player," she said. "I remember people telling me that I could only pick one thing, but I learned that wasn't the case" 
 
Although she was home schooled until college, Marble, and her seven siblings were always active. "I did basketball, ballet, gymnastics, All-Star cheerleading, All-Star Hip Hop, and baseball," said Marble. "I wanted to try track because my brothers were doing it, but I knew I didn't want to run *laughs*," said Marble. 
 
After giving throws a try, she quickly realized it was more than just a hobby, but a gift. 
 
"[In high school], I was home schooled, but I still had the opportunity to compete and break all of their [Punxsutawney Area] records."

Marble remains the record holder for the indoor shot put with a throw of 13.20 m and the discus throw with a throw of 41.70 m at Punxsutawney Area High School.
 
"I love[d] throwing because it's a very individual thing to do and its very technical, so it helps you find yourself," she said. "It's very empowering. It reminds me of Hercules."
 
Her journey continued as she began her collegiate career at Youngstown State. There, Marble racked up a 2021 Horizon League Outdoor Championship gold in the shot put, silver in the hammer throw, and bronze in the discus throw. 
 
Despite her success, in the fall of 2021, Marble felt the city of New Orleans would align more with her eccentric style and that the University would be somewhere she could call home. 
 
"As I discovered myself, I realized that people's perception of you has nothing to do with you," said Marble. "And what I love about this University is that I feel no judgment. I can dress and be who I want without any judgment in and out the [throwing] ring.
 
As a Privateer, Marble took bronze in the weight throw at the 2022 Indoor Southland Conference Championship (17.64 m), earned All-Southland indoor third team status with her throw of 18.15m, took silver in the discus throw and won the hammer throw at the 2022 SLC Outdoor Conference Championship.
 
While her hard work and dedication proves foundational in her accomplishments, Marble's confidence also comes from the freedom to express herself in the while in the ring. 
 
"It makes perfect sense that Marble found her craft doing the throwing events. When you get to the highly competitive level she is at, it is a work of art to be able to properly throw the implement to maximize the output/distance, and Marble does this beautifully," said Head Track & Field Coach Brock Moreaux. 
 
"When she hits it right, it's a masterpiece. In addition, I love the way Marble bring her own flare to the ring with her unique mixture of hair, nails, makeup, etc. When she steps in the ring, you know who she is and she screams self-confidence, and that is big competitive advantage"
 
"If you look good, you compete good," said Marble. "Every two weeks I change my look. I dress how I feel every day."
 
When she isn't training, you can find Marble servicing a large clientele for her cosmetology business.
 
As she looks to begin her final indoor season in the silver, white, and blue, she wants her journey to encourage other student athletes to express themselves through their sport. 
 
"I was inspired by a girl in high school who would walk in the throwing ring with her glasses on. I loved that because she always did super well," Marble said. "My message to other students and student-athletes would be that life is a journey of self-discovery. Being authentic to you is how you will achieve what you want!"