So, today I fortunately checked my e-mail earlier than I usually do - and found out that PVTC was going to have Dana Pounds, the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers runner up and 2007 USA champion in javelin competing today - here in Fairfax. Wow. She needs to get a 60m+ throw by Monday in order to go to Beijing with our Olympic team.
As women throwers are relatively scarce and the meet needed at least three female javelin throwers competing for her throw in the USATF sanctioned meet to count, Becky, Cindy, and me got to be the competition. Hey, I was psyched, I cut short my a.m. training run to get my tail over to the meet with my javelin.
Unfortunately, Dana did not get the throw she needs today at the PVTC meet. She was about two meters shy. She has until Monday to get the throw she needs for Beijing and there may be another opportunity at a meet before then. I think she can do it!
Update: Sorry, I realized I had deleted the photos. Photos are back. The photo on the upper left is Dana Pounds (on right, with jav) with USTAF officials and PVTC members and volunteers. L to R: Jay Wind, Frank Nothaft (back row - awesome college thrower), Tony Dziepak, Sharon Good, Jerry Bookin-Weiner (behind Sharon), Jennifer Stephens, and Dana. Upper right is Dana with a talented, young thrower who came out to throw with her. (His mom was also taking a picture, so I caught a bit of her.) Center photo is me, Cindy, and Becky - we were her competitors! - watching Dana throw and realizing that our three scores together might not equal hers (we were sure right about that). Last photo is Dana throwing - note the perfect angle of release. There is a lot of power built up behind that throw. Notice where the tip of the javelin is. She's an artist at this throw! That ranks among the best.
Also and Update: Dana did not make the Beijing Olympic Team. Expect to see her in four years. Expect to see her medal in four years.
