If
you could give
me a brief
overview of
where you are in
training
(location /
coaching /
facilities) and
specifically
what you are
working on
towards the 2008
season.
I
am currently
living in
Scottsdale,
Arizona and
training with
John Godina as
my strength
coach and his
father, Bill
Godina (aka “The
Colonel”) is my
technical coach.
I will vary my
training sites
depending on
where my coaches
are that day.
John has opened
his own gym in
Mesa, Arizona
with some pretty
awesome Keiser
lifting
equipment. My
contribution to
the gym is my
Eleiko bar and
bumpers and some
Sorinex
equipment I
brought from
Ohio. After my
CPT
certification I
hope to be
employed as a
Whole Fitness
trainer. I will
occasionally
train at Arizona
State University
which is less
than ten minutes
away from my
home. ASU Coach
Dave Dumble has
been so
accommodating
with facilities
for
post-collegiate
athletes. I
occasionally
lift at ASU and
their facilities
blow me away. I
am a little DII
girl and I think
it is pretty
cool to check
out schools like
ASU. Mesa
Community
College has a
fantastic
outdoor track
and Coach Steve
Jacobs is
another coach
who helps out
post-collegiate
throwers. They
will often put
on meets for us
when we need
one!
I am very happy
with my decision
to move to
Arizona even
though it has
taken me some
time to adjust.
I switched
strength coaches
and I am very
pleased with the
strength gains I
have achieved so
far with John. I
can’t say enough
positive things
about Bill. He
is extremely
knowledgeable
and it is a lot
fun to work with
him! When I
first spoke to
Bill about my
goals as a
glider, he
gently suggested
I give
rotational shot
a try. I agree
that I can only
get so much
stronger or a
little faster
but I will never
get any taller
or grow longer
arms. I
understand the
importance of
maximizing the
throw and we
gave the spin a
try. I put a
serious effort
in the
rotational shot
but just grew to
be even more
frustrated. I
switched back
and forth
between the
glide and the
spin and just
figured I should
stick with what
I loved and
could improve on
instead of
re-teaching a
new technique.
Fortunately, the
rotational
training
improved my
lifetime best in
the discus throw
that year!
This season I
have really
taken a lot of
time and worked
with John for
about 6 weeks of
drills. We broke
down my throw
and this year I
am focusing on
cleaning up my
technique to
move more
efficiently and
speed up the
throw. I have
been a little
lazy with my
throw and I am
glad to see some
results with the
drills.
What
is your support
system that
helps keep you
grounded?
This year has
also been
another reminder
of the
incredible
support from my
family and
friends. I
frequently go
back to Ohio for
checkups with my
Oncologist and
have an open
invitation to
train at Ashland
University with
Coach Jud Logan
anytime. Even my
High School
coach, Denise
Gorski, has gone
out of her way
to help raise
donations for an
Olympic fund for
me. On my most
recent visit to
Ohio over the
Thanksgiving
weekend my Mom
and Mrs. Gorski
organized and
spaghetti dinner
to raise money
for my training
and travel
expenses for
this year. I was
overwhelmed with
my community
support. I had
over 800 people
attend the event
and over 75
local businesses
provided items
for an auction.
It was
absolutely
amazing to have
that kind of
support. My
number one
supporter has
always been my
Mom. She has
been the mom in
the stands with
the green book
always shouting
out the feet and
inches and the
savior who
brings all the
food for the
hungry throwers
to the meets. I
don’t think
there more than
a handful of
meets my Mom
could not attend
throughout my
entire
collegiate
career. She is
always so
supportive and
the best
cheering
section.
You have
inspired many by
the way you
handled your
significant
health issues,
where are you
now with regards
to your wellness
and how does the
future look?
Many athletes
have a story.
Whether it is a
loss in the
family,
debilitating
injury or
another
significant
setback a
comeback is
difficult. My
setback was
cancer. I no
longer have any
problems talking
about my illness
or answering
questions about
when my life was
in jeopardy. I
was in peak
shape ready to
graduate college
and train for my
first Olympic
Trials. After 6
months of
chemotherapy and
mental stress
out the wazoo I
honestly did not
feel as though I
had the
slightest chance
to qualify for
the Games in
Athens. My Mom,
training
partners in
Ashland and
Coach Logan were
quick to
re-inspire my
goal. I
realistically
had 3 months of
chemo-free
training before
the Trials.
Although I
finished 5th
in the women’s
shot put I feel
that my
accomplishment
was being able
to train and
compete at all.
People
frequently ask
me how I got
through it all.
I simply explain
that it just had
to be done
because I didn’t
believe in
giving up. I was
surrounded by so
many positive
people that the
tough times got
a little easier.
