DUMBLE'S CHANCES ARE SHOT : UCLA FRIEND ALTHOUSE GOES TO GAMES INSTEAD.Byline: Eric Sondheimer Daily News Deputy Sports Editor Noun 1. sports editor - the newspaper editor responsible for sports news newspaper editor - the editor of a newspaper On a cloudless, sunny Tuesday afternoon at UCLA's Drake Stadium Drake Stadium is a stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. It is primarily used for the Drake Relays, and is the home field of the Drake University Bulldogs. It opened in 1925 and currently holds 14,557 people. A large scale renovation of the stadium was completed in 2006. , a most unusual sports drama unfolded. In front of some two dozen onlookers, the final spot for the U.S. Olympic track and field team was decided. Former UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX shot putter Dawn Dumble needed a qualifying mark of 59 feet, -3/4 inches to earn a trip to Atlanta. Competing with her was former UCLA teammate Valeyta Althouse, who would take Dumble's spot if she failed to qualify. The pressure had been building over the previous six days. Three special throwing meets had been held, each one designed to give Dumble the opportunity to achieve the qualifying mark. Her best effort had been 58-7-1/2. Then came one last chance on Tuesday. Each of six times that Dumble entered the throwing ring, fans shouted shout n. A loud cry. tr. & intr.v. shout·ed, shout·ing, shouts To say with or utter a shout. Phrasal Verb: shout down To overwhelm or silence by shouting loudly. encouragement. ``Come on Dawn, do it!'' one onlooker pleaded. In the end, Dumble, looking physically and emotionally drained, didn't come close to the qualifying mark. Her best throw was 55-7-3/4. After her last attempt, she walked over to Althouse, gave her a pat on the back and accepted the fact she wouldn't be going to the Olympics. ``I'm disappointed I didn't make the team,'' Dumble said. ``The whole thing has been a learning experience. It's been tough each day trying to get up for it.'' Dumble finished third at the U.S. Olympic Trials on June 23 to earn the Olympic berth, but she needed the qualifying mark to compete. Althouse was the fourth-place finisher, but she already had exceeded the qualifying mark. UCLA coach Art Venegas trains both women, and he tried to make the best of To improve to the utmost; to use or dispose of to the greatest advantage. To reduce to the least possible inconvenience; as, to make the best of ill fortune or a bad bargain. - Bacon. See also: Best Best a stressful situation knowing one would go to the Olympics and the other would have to stay home. ``They both would love to go,'' he said. ``It's neat to see the whole drama unfold unfold - inline . I don't think they're totally immune to the whole irony of the thing.'' Afterward af·ter·ward also af·ter·wards adv. At a later time; subsequently. Adv. 1. afterward - happening at a time subsequent to a reference time; "he apologized subsequently"; "he's going to the store but he'll be back here , Althouse didn't know how to react to making the Olympic team. She felt conflicting emotions because her spot came at the expense of a friend and ex-teammate. ``If it was somebody else, I'd be ecstatic ec·stat·ic adj. 1. Marked by or expressing ecstasy. 2. Being in a state of ecstasy; joyful or enraptured. [French extatique, from Greek ekstatikos, from ,'' Althouse said. ``I'm happy to go, but I'm sad for her. She really works harder than anybody.'' The two weeks of waiting to see if she would make the Olympic team was not a fun time for Althouse. ``It's been weighing on me and stressing me out,'' she said. ``For it to be finally over - it seems like a lifetime. Even down to her last throw, I thought she might be able to do it. I know what it's like to be there. It's kind of tough, it really is.'' A TV camera crew from Dumble's hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" in Bakersfield was on hand to record the drama. But from the beginning Tuesday, Dumble struggled. ``Yesterday took everything out of Dawn,'' Venegas said of the second special meet. ``The body is pretty shot.'' Althouse will leave Thursday morning for Atlanta. ``It hasn't quite hit me yet,'' she said. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos |
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