Aliso Niguel CA Senior Has Become Nation's Top Thrower And Also a Licensed Realtor

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

John Nepolitan Photo (Nike Indoor Nationals)

Jaslene Massey loved the The Armory in New York as soon as she walked inside. 

Her eye for detail in habitable spaces was enough for a quick assessement. 

"I liked the atmosphere at The Armory," she said. "Such a cool vibe. Everybody gunning for the top, gunning for the win."

Massey made herself at home in that crucible of competition last month at Nike Indoor Nationals. She went into the throwing cage and produced the farthest shot put mark of her career, 54 feet, 2.75 inches to win the girls shot put title. It was a huge PR and elevated her to No. 6 all-time indoors.

WATCH THE LIVE FREE WEBCAST OF THE ARCADIA INVITATIONAL

The story doesn't end there. That night she boarded a plane, returned to Los Angeles, and went straight to a meet without having a chance to go home first. 

Still riding a wave of adrenaline, Massey threw the discus farther than she ever had in her life: 188 feet, 7 inches. No. 4 all-time. 

"My best weekend ever," Massey called it. "I really do think I was riding the high of winning at nationals and it didn't wear off. I was excited, happy, pumped up."

Massey will return to the Arcadia Invitaitonal this weekend looking to repeat her shot put title and add another victory in the discus. 

"I've loved Arcadia ever since I saw the backpacks and learning about Tara Davis' history there. I love both (throwing) rings," she said. 

Massey considers Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall an inspiration, not just for her athletic achievements but how she has harnessed social media to tell her story. 

When she's not training or competing, Massey is hard at work recording and editing content of a different type. 

In February, Massey got her California real estate license. So in her spare time, she attends open houses and tours pricey Orange County homes for sale and makes videos intended to draw the eyes of potential buyers. 

Massey got interested in real estate through a video game simulation but got serious about it as a job last fall. 

"It's a tough market, especially for an 18-year-old," she said. 

Massey works for the HomeSmart Evergreen Realty brokerage, and is "the baby of the group," she said. 

"I'm the youngest realtor they've ever signed."

She has not yet closed a sale, but she brings the same tenacity and commitment to the effort that she does to the weight room and practice. 

Massey grew up playing volleyball and anticipated a future in that sport. Her mother played a UC-Irvine and is in the school's Hall of Fame. 

By her junior year, success in throws was becoming more important than year-round volleyball. 

"They started to conflict," she said. "Schedules interlocked. (Throwing) became more fun my junior year. I could rely on myself in track and field. In volleyball, it takes six."

Massey has a mentor to show her the way to victory in real estate. But in that game, too, self-reliance and determination are key traits. 

"I go to open houses on the weekends. I batch record and batch edit during my free time on breaks between class," she said.

She is already thinking about her next steps. She plans to get a license in Oregon as well. 

Massey has committed to the University of Oregon, and throws coach Brian Blutreitch, as the Ducks aim to build one of the nation's best throws programs. Simon Rosselli, the US#1 boys discus thrower, is also signed with Oregon. 

Massey chose Oregon over USC, Illinois and Miami. 

"I love the cold and I love the rain," she said. 

She loves to compete most of all, and she isn't dead-set on which event might end up being her best. 

"I'm really, really, really liking the shot put," Massey said. "But I really like the discus a lot more. Last summer I did a training session in hammer and saw some potential there. I would also like to have a javelin session. I would like to try all four."