Rocky Moore’s size should be intimidating.

At 6 foot 4 inches and 280 pounds with Mark McGwire-like arms, the sophomore ISU men’s track team member may look formidable. However, his extremely approachable personality makes people flock to him.

“I know it’s a clich‚, but Rocky really is a `gentle giant’,” friend and women’s track team member Kelly Brinkman said. “He knows and gets along with everyone, even though he might look intimidating.”

Moore said his personality is due to his extreme dislike of conceited people.

“In high school, I tried not to get a big head,” he said. “One of my pet peeves is big-headed people. I try to be friends with everyone.”

Although his likable personality sets him apart from many others, Moore has also been setting himself apart from his competitors by the way he performs. He has already provisionally qualified for Nationals this season in the shot put, finishing first in the event at both the Weems Baskin Invitational and the Florida Relays.

He also competed for the first time in the discus at the Weems Baskin Invitational, finishing in first place.

Success isn’t anything new for Moore. Ever since high school, the Liberty, Ind. native, has been ranked as one of top shot-putters in the nation.

As a senior at Union County High School, he was ranked fifth in the nation in the event, earned state titles and broke school records in both the shot put and discus.

In addition to track honors, Moore was also the first Union wrestler to qualify for state competition, where he earned 10th place as a heavyweight, and he was an All-State offensive and defensive tackle in football during his junior and senior years. Moore also played basketball his freshman year.

“The different sports just kept me busy and in good shape,” Moore said. “I miss football and wrestling, but track is my true love. It’s the only thing where I could go out on weekends and throw.”

However, at first, Moore was reluctant to go out for track. When he was in seventh grade, a substitute teacher encouraged him to try the sport, but Moore didn’t want to because he thought it only involved running.

Finally, the teacher snagged his interest with the throwing aspect. After that, Moore began winning and got attached.

While deciding on a college, Moore admits that he was offered more by Kentucky, which is also closer to his hometown in southeastern Indiana. However, he picked Iowa State because of ISU throws coach Dan O’Mara.

“Dan seemed like a person who knew what he was talking about. He just seemed like he had really sound technique,” Moore said.

On the other hand, O’Mara also has plenty of praise for Moore’s technique.

“He came in throwing 52 feet. Now, he’s been throwing 57 feet indoors and shows improvement in his technique. He does pretty much anything to help his improvement,” O’Mara said.

Moore’s teammates also admire his competitive spirit along with his great personality.

“Rock’s a real hard worker and he goes real hard after his goals; he works hard every day,” teammate James Lopes said. “He’s also one of the best people to help you get hyped up for a meet.”

Outside of track, Moore, whose given name is Raymond Lewis Moore III, is an undeclared major, but is interested in pursuing either sport management or art and design.

“I really like to draw cartoons, animals, sketches,” he said.

Moore has even designed two of his three tattoos himself, which are identical Egyptian-style shapes on both sides of his chest.

As for the future, Moore has some challenging goals established for himself and his team.

For now, he wants to make it to the NCAA Championships, help his young team move higher up in the Big 12 Conference standings and to win the conference before he graduates.

Further into the future, Moore’s main goal is to make the 2004 Olympic team.

And his teammates are pretty certain it will happen.

“He’s always looking to improve, even after a win,” Lopes said. “And he always eventually reaches his goal.”