Friday, July 14, 1995
UCLA alumna will attempt to qualify for Olympics todayBy
Christopher Isidro
Summer Bruin Senior Staff
One former NCAA champion and two 1996 Olympians will take part
in a track meet at Drake Stadium today.
But don’t mistake the 3 p.m. event for an Olympic preview. The
sole purpose of the hastily organized meet is to qualify ex-UCLA
shot putter Dawn Dumble for Atlanta.
Dumble finished in the top three at the U.S. Olympic Trials in
June. However, she has yet to reach the Olympic standard of 59 3/4
feet, (18.00 meters), a requirement necessary to compete in the
Games.
UCLA track and field coach Art Venegas organized today’s meet
after Dumble came up short at the Long Beach Relays on Saturday.
Today will be her last chance to hit the mark before the deadline
at midnight Tuesday.
"Her chances are not very good right now," Venegas said. "It’s
like Keyshawn Johnson getting 250 yards in receiving. It is a tough
mark to hit."
Dumble, whose personal best is 58-10 3/4, won Saturday’s shot
put competition, which included only sophomore Nada Kawar and
former Bruin Valeyta Althouse. But her throw of 58 feet (17.68 m)
fell one foot short of the standard.
"I can do it, I know I can sometime down the road," Dumble said.
"I’d just like to get it now."
After fouling in the first round, Dumble recorded a 56-9 in her
second throw. The Olympic hopeful progressed with each successive
attempt, peaking in the fourth round.
A fifth-round foul snapped Dumble’s momentum, leaving the
two-time NCAA champion with one last chance to put together a big
throw. But her final attempt of the competition would be the worst
of her series, falling over three feet short of the standard.
"I was relaxed and excited today," Dumble said. "I just wish I
had more throws."
Althouse, who posted a 57-7 1/4 to finish second at Long Beach,
stands to receive Dumble’s invitation should she fail to hit the
standard today. The 1995 NCAA shot put champion has been throwing
with Dumble to support her former teammate and to train for Atlanta
should the mantle fall upon her.
"This is my punishment," said Althouse, the fourth-place
finisher at the U.S. Olympic Trials. "(The Trials) are over and if
I get to go, it’s an added bonus."
Althouse and former UCLA All-American John Godina will also be
featured in today’s meet.
"Eighteen meters is a tough mark," Althouse said. "I’ve hit it
several times before, but I’ve had a hard time doing it
lately."
While the odds may be stacked against Dumble, the former Bruin
is not about to let her Olympic hopes flicker without a fight.
"I’m going to give it my all," she said. "I’m tired of staying
home."
Daily Bruin File Photo
Shot putter Dawn Dumble will throw today at Drake Stadium.