Blewitt is the defending Division II shot
put champion for Ashland (Michael Vosburg) |
1. After coming off another NCAA Division II national title in the shotput last season, what are your goals heading into your senior year in 2003?
Going into my senior year, I would like to continue my success that I have already been fortunate to be a part of and to exceed my own personal standards and expectations. Secondly, my coach [Jud Logan] and I have begun working for a transition towards success for a post collegiate season.
2. At the recent Golden Flash Gala hosted by Kent State, you threw 57'8.50" which would have won the Division I meet last season. Do you enjoy competing against and beating the best at the Division I level as well?
Ashland University, although a Division II school, has given me many opportunities to compete against the best track and field programs in the US. Subsequently, these experiences helped me develop outside of Division II expectations which enable me to own a national record and be competitive in a Division I atmosphere.
3. Jud Logan, a 4-time Olympic participant for the United States in the hammer, is your coach at Ashland. How much has he and the rest of the coaching staff helped you develop into the athlete you are today?
Experience is the best teacher and Jud's incredible thirst for knowledge and willingness to learn from those around him has guided myself to the next level. This is also the characteristic that has put Ashland on the map as a strong athletic program due to the dedication of the coaching staff.
4. Not many throwers compete and qualify in three events at the NCAA national meet such as you did last season in the shot put, discus and hammer. How do you find time to practice and prepare yourself for all three events during the season?
We train my events in order of importance, with shotput being number one. It is hard to excel in all three events at the same level and it is easy to let one slip in relation to the improvement of another and it can be frustrating when you want to excel in all three. However, balance is the key to a successful season in multi-events. I feel that Jud has been able to determine what kind of athlete I am and together we work out my training schedule.
5. Ashland has had at least one national champion at the outdoor championships for nine consecutive years. Describe the success and tradition about the program tat many people might not realize.
The success and tradition of Ashland University Track and Field begins with the atmosphere created by the coaching staff and the athletes. We don't have the best facilities by far and our budget is something to be desired in comparison to other schools, however, through the positive training atmosphere that has been created, athletes always find success. Whether it is a centimeter personal record or a 7 second PR, it seems everyone finds success at their personal level.
6. It will be an even longer season this year with the US national meet as qualifying for the World Outdoor Championships later this summer. How will you prepare yourself and make sure that you will peak at the right time after such a long collegiate season?
As a collegiate athlete, I set my priorities with my conference meet and NCAAs. However, I have approached a level at which I need to expand my season for meets at a higher level like USAs. Ever since my freshman year, I have been able to elongate my season and peak more a little each year. Each experience tests my abilities and pushes me to the limit. Fortunately, I have been able to adjust my seasons to accommodate and peak for the prize meets such as USAs and more recently, as a part of USA National Under 25 team this past summer. This last year has been the longest season for me yet and I found it to be tough to compete in a high intensity atmosphere with a collegiate season in addition to USA meets and teams. I will admit that I look forward to a post-collegiate season when I focus on fewer competitions and one main event! However, for now, there still is unfinished business in my senior collegiate year of eligibility.
7. What do you focus on the most when you are in the weight room and any kind of plyometric activities to further enhance your events?
I usually set personal goals to strive for in the weight room.
Right now, I can always get stronger. I probably have the weakest
bench press in my field where on a good day I could put up 200lbs.
(it hasn't happened yet). In addition to the bench, my back squat
needs to come up a bit. But as far as enhancing my events, I love
to remind myself that no one is working as hard as I do and no one
is doing what we do. In the preseason we do a lot of grip work and
strongman events.
In-season, we hit our events hard and focus on the weight room.
We have a lot of workouts that just kick your butt and I love it.
Reaching a personal goal is so much sweeter when you look back at
the sweat and pain that you worked through to get to that point.
Finally, at the peak of our season, everything just comes together.
8. When did you first give the throwing events a try and what kind of advice would you give a young athlete who wishes to do the same for the first time?
I started throwing the shotput and discus in the 7th grade following in my older sister's footsteps. My sister loved track and so I thought I would give it a try. I had asthma and I decided that there was no way I would choose to run for the team, so I went out for the field events. I would always recommend young athletes to try something new. I had no idea I would be a competitive thrower until I tried it and didn't give up on it. I went through a countless number of meets when I wasn't the best but it was okay. I didn't give up and quit. If we never experience defeat, we will never know the value and price of winning.