Sure, Art Venegas is pleased that Cari Soong and Jessica Cosby
both appear to be on the verge of a breakthrough in the hammer
throw.
But he is also realistic.
Venegas, the UCLA throws coach, knows the hammer throw field at
next week’s NCAA Championships is littered with
championship-caliber throwers. Consequently, he’s hoping the
Bruins start showing signs of life in the shot put as well.
“Points-wise I’d feel more comfortable if we were
hotter in the shot,” Venegas said. “We definitely have
it together in the hammer, but we’re also facing the toughest
foes in the hammer.”
Cosby and Soong went one-two in the hammer throw at the West
Regionals this past weekend, throwing season bests 214 feet, 9
inches and 213-5 respectively. Both Bruins are well shy of the
national leaders, making it unlikely that either can score more
than a handful of points in the event.
The shot put is far more wide-open, even though neither Cosby
nor UCLA freshman Kamaiya Warren have performed well lately.
Cosby finished third behind Stanford’s Jill Camarena and
USC’s L’Orangerie Crawford at the Pac-10 Championships
and the West Regionals, while Warren failed to make the finals at
either meet.
The 2002 NCAA shot put champion, Cosby has a personal best of 57
feet, one-quarter inch. She has not approached that mark this
season, failing to eclipse 55 feet in her last two meets.
But Cosby, despite her struggles, still has the sixth-best mark
in the nation this year.
“I have faith in our ladies,” Venegas said.
“They’re going to find their rhythm.”
Warren, owner of the nation’s 13th-best mark, has thrown
well in practice of late, but it has not translated to the meets.
She fouled in two of her three throws at the West Regionals, only
managing a mediocre throw of 48-6 on her third attempt.
“It’s freshman nerves,” Venegas said.
“If the training was really bad, I’d say, “˜Man
she’s gone off the deep end,’ but it’s not.
I’m not expecting her to go 57 feet in the shot, but I
wouldn’t be surprised if she threw 54.”
If either Cosby or Warren could break through at NCAAs next
week, it could be a huge boost for the Bruins title chances.
“When we’re not really rolling well, it can put a
lot of pressure on the kids,” Venegas said. “I think
that’s happening in the shot right now.”