OLYMPICS Beating the odds: Blewitt optimistic about her chances

The 24-year-old Ashland University senior is trying for an Olympic berth.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PHOENIX -- Numbers have been very important in Adriane Blewitt's life lately.
First, there's 12 -- the number of shot put throws that will count when she competes in Olympic qualifying August 4 and Aug. 8.
Second, there's 60-101/2 -- the number of feet and inches that one of those 12 throws needs to be to earn a spot on the U.S. women's team for the Summer Games in Athens.
But neither is more important than three -- the number of months she's been cancer-free since finishing chemotherapy treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Blewitt, a Boardman High graduate, is working here this week with training coach Charles Poliquin.
Last-minute training
"These are pretty much follow-up training sessions," Blewitt said of time with Poliquin, the strength coach for many athletes. She's worked with him since January and she'll continue in the weight room of Poliquin's performance center in Arizona until Aug. 2.
Then it's off to the Olympic training center in Chula Vista, California, where Blewitt's quest hinges on her performance next week.
"The last day to qualify is the 9th," Blewitt said. "So I'm trying to squeeze in a couple meets before the deadline. They're sort of last-chance qualifiers," she said of the USATF-supervised events.
Since most U.S. Olympic team spots have been filled, she estimates that 20 athletes in various track and field events will be on hand to make the most of the opportunity.
Although Blewitt must reach the Olympic standard of 60-101/2, she'll also be competing against Jill Camerana, the Stanford University shot putter who was third at the U.S. trials in Sacramento.
There, Camerana's distance on July 16 was 58-2. Blewitt threw 54-21/2 to finish fifth. However, when the fourth-place finisher -- Stephanie Brown (56-10 3/4), unattached -- withdrew to concentrate on her discus event, Blewitt moved up a notch.
Who goes
The top three to reach the standard with the 4 kilo (8.8 pounds) ball make the team.
Nos. 1-2 at the trials, Laura Gerraughty (60-81/2, University of North Carolina) and Kristin Heaston (59-43/4, representing Nike) previously reached the standard and will go to the Olympics.
Blewitt wasn't sure if Camerana would be in Chula Vista, but she did know that Camerana will be somewhere attempting to qualify before the 9th.
"She's got a little more advantage because she was third. If we both get 60-101/2, then she goes [to Athens]. I'd just be an alternate. If she doesn't get 60-101/2 and I do, then I get the third spot."
If neither succeeds, then it's a two-woman shot put team.
The 24-year-old Blewitt's lifetime best is 59-1/2, coming last year in Atlanta before the cancer was diagnosed. She expects to graduate from Ashland University in December.
The right-handed thrower who trains in Ashland and also spends time in Boardman is confident.
Her best toss since commencing her comeback this year was 54-61/2 on June 3 in the Jesse Owens Meet at Ohio State. "I may get to a new level next week," she said.
T-shirt message
Blewitt drew television's attention during the trials in Sacramento when she was shown with her "I Kicked Cancer's Ass" T-shirt.
She first wore it at the Drake Relays in Iowa in April.
"I made it," Blewitt said of her outward acrimony toward the disease. "I got iron-on letters and a shirt. It's my own creation. It started out as a joke, then, all of a sudden, it took on a more serious tone."
She's made significant improvement since March.
"Once I was done with chemo treatments and was trying to concentrate more on track, I saw big changes in the weight room and throwing distances."
Twelve throws -- six on Aug. 4 and six on Aug. 8.
All it would take is one in 12.
One is a wonderful number, but not as good as three.
And still counting.