The Olympic year is upon us! In just six months, I will compete against 23 of the best discus throwers in the country for a chance to represent the United States on the world’s biggest stage: the 2012 Olympic Games. The road has not been easy. Many of my former competitors have been unable to persevere– but for those of us who remain, the journey has been well worth the sacrifice.

Two years ago, Kate and I embarked on a journey that took us across the country. We sold most of our belongings, gathered friends to say goodbye, packed a small trailer carrying only the essentials, and left everything and everyone we knew to pursue a dream. A dream unaltered by the unpredictable variables we so often let direct our lives. A dream to which we have remained true, and which has been characterized by unprecedented passion and desire to achieve something only few achieve – The Olympic dream.

Two years ago, I began training at Auburn University with Coach Clayton, who has coached several Olympians. I have diligently focused my efforts and stayed the course. I have completely changed my throwing technique, improved my physical strength, gained 20 lbs, increased my flexibility, drastically improved my body awareness, sharpened my mind, and improved my balance. These pieces, which were once so separate, are now interlocking, weaving their way into one another and forming the foundation I will rely on during these final and most critical months of training.

Currently, I train six days a week and work as an intern with the Auburn track team 20 hours/week. Kate balances taking care of our son, Ryker, and working as a personal trainer. I also have a team of 20 monthly financial supporters, and a number of people who have given one-time or periodic gifts.

The generosity of my team is what enables me to pursue the Olympic Dream. I invite you to become a member of that team—and would be honored for you to be on it.

It has always been difficult for me to ask for help. But we are now on the final turn and the finish line is visible. With only eight months remaining until the Olympics, every day counts—and I really need your support to help with living and competing expenses in order to truly focus on the final goal and achieve the dream.

Why not? Go ahead, don’t be shy. Click the donate tab on the top of the page and select a one time or monthly donation.

June 2011 Update

June has been a very interesting month. While I continued to compete in local track meets, Kate and I stepped up our preparations for our new family member, Ryker Thomas Conwell, who is expected to arrive in September. And at the end of the month I was blessed with an opportunity to compete in Eugene, Oregon at the 2011 USA Track and Field National Championships.

As far as “nesting” goes, our landlord painted the bedroom, I assembled the crib (thank you Dad Soma), and Kate has found her new obsession….garage saling. Each week we search craigslist and look for signs and make a mad dash on Saturday morning. As it turns out, garage sales are incredible! $.25-1.00 baby clothes, hundreds of burp cloths and socks to choose from, along with excellent deals on the larger items. A few weeks ago we found a Graco Swing N Bounce 2-in-1 baby swing (retails for $130) for $25!!! We have also been incredibly blessed by the many gifts given to us at Kate’s various baby showers – one in Portland, one in Michigan, and one surprise shower thrown at her last Zumba class. Thank you to everyone who came and loved on Kate.

My 2011 track season was a bit rough. While I knew making a change was going to be tough, I had no idea the physical and emotional struggle I was in for. Thank you all for your encouragement and support. Thank you especially to my wife Kate for putting up with me this season as I learned to deal with my anger and disappointment. So, yes, it was tough but HOPE IS NOT LOST. The transitions have been made, and 2012 should be much better. But, at the beginning of the month it looked like I was not going to qualify for the 2011 USA championships, which is an important step in the process toward the 2012 Olympic Trials and Games. Only the top 18 discus throwers are invited, and I was ranked 20th. On Wednesday June 8th I regained my confidence and purchased a flight to Oregon with the hope and prayer of throwing over 60 meters (196 feet) in a last chance qualifying meet. Sure enough, on June 12th I competed in Georgia and had my best throw of the season. 61.12 meters (200’5”).

I came into the National Championships ranked 13th, with a best throw of just over 200 feet. Almost 30 people came to cheer me on, and when my name was announced section N went wild! Thank you everyone who drove all the way to Eugene to watch me throw only three times. It was an awesome experience. I finished the competition with a best throw of 58.66 meters (192’5”) and placed 11th in the USA. My goal was to place top 5, but after such a rough season I have to admit I was still able to hold my head high and congratulate each of my competitors.

I have at least one more meet this season. On July 8th and 9th I will be throwing at the Club National championships for Club Northwest in New York at Icahn Stadium on Randals Island. Club Northwest is a track club based in Seattle, WA that hosts all-comers meets all summer and supports local track and field athletes like myself. I will throw Shot Put, Discus, and Hammer. After the competition I will take a short break for mental and physical recovery, and then begin my training for the 2012 Olympic Year!

NOTE! Aretha Thurmond just had a huge throw in Lausaane, Switzerland at a Diamond League Meet. Click here for more info. Or go to www.Arethathrows.com

Get ready for the best US meet of the year. 18 of the top competetors in each event are invited to compete in Eugene Oregon from June 23rd-26th. The tickets are cheap ($15-$30) and can be purchased at the door. So round up your family and friends and come to Hayward Field to experience an amazing show. Click here for the complete schedule.

On TV:

ESPN2, June 24 11:00 pm-1:00 am ET
ESPN2 Re-air, June 25 1:00 -3:00 pm ET
Universal, June 25 3:00-4:30 pm ET
NBC, June 25 5:00-6:00 pm ET
Universal, June 26 3:00-4:00 pm ET
NBC, June 26 5:00-6:00 pm ET

May 2011 Update – A Word from the Wise (AKA my Wife)

Hello everyone!

In January 2010 Will and I started out on an adventure, moving from Seattle, Washington to Opelika, Alabama, so he could pursue a spot on the 2012 Olympic team. It’s been over a year since the move, so I figured it was time for you to get an update from my perspective. J

I’m not sure how many of you know, but I was not excited to leave Seattle when this began. I did not want to leave my friends, family, a successful personal training business, and the familiarity of the northwest to come to a small southern town where we knew less than a handful of people. After much discussion, we decided it was the best thing for Will’s throwing career, and I wanted to support him. But, I also knew that it would take more than just my support for Will to have the chance to pursue his dream.

I want to thank each of you for your continued support of my husband’s dream. Each of you plays a role in making this possible for our family. Your prayers, encouragement, phone calls, letters, and financial contributions mean so much to Will and me. Because track and field is not a highly profitable sport in the USA, I know that this would not be possible for Will without you. So I thank you again for being a part of our team.

While we knew when we moved here, that making a change wouldn’t guarantee Will a spot on the team in 2012 I don’t think Will anticipated the struggles he would face. His workouts are harder and longer, and he is no longer the “best” athlete in his training group. He has torn apart his technique piece by piece, and faced more injuries than I can remember him dealing with before. While he tries to continue to remain positive, I know that the process is challenging for him. He just wants to “throw far!” Unfortunately, as an ex-elite athlete myself, I know that sometimes the process to improvement sometimes means taking two or three or four steps backward before you can start to take steps forward again. This can mean having a season, like 2011 has been for Will, when you don’t see any improvement, and wonder why all your hard work isn’t paying off. He has to deal with frustration, anger and confusion….and as his wife I get to deal with him dealing with all that. This isn’t easy for either of us, but it makes us stronger as a couple, and Will stronger as a man, a husband, and athlete. The learning process is more than just technical; he is going through a fire that will refine him as a person. I believe in him, and in the process, and have confidence that in the end he will emerge victorious in many ways.

Will’s 2011 season is almost over, he has a few more chances, including two local meets this weekend, to qualify for the USA Track and Field Championships held in Eugene, Oregon June 23-26th. Right now Will sits 20th, and the top 18 qualify for the meet. Will has always worked hard. He is bigger and stronger than ever before, and in practice his throwing is going well. Now, I believe he needs to find a way relax and enjoy the competitions. He has put in the work, and must trust in God’s plan for him. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he enters these last few meets, he only needs to throw a few feet further to qualify for USA Championships.

Words cannot adequately express our appreciation for your support. We currently have a team of 25 monthly financial supporters, which help provide an opportunity for Will to train at Auburn University. If you would like to join the team as a one-time or monthly donor please visit Will’s website to make a tax-deductable contribution to the Evergreen Athletic Fund, http://www.willconwell.com/donate/ . Or you can mail a donation with a note designating Will as the recipient to EAF:
4230 137th Avenue NE
Bellevue, WA 98005

Here’s to Will’s Success!
-Kate Conwell-
Kate213@comcast.net

In late March and early April the winds are very strong through the state of Texas as the seasons change.  The discus is the most aerodynamic event in track and field and can by strongly influenced by wind.  The best wind for maximum distance is a right-quartering head wind (assuming the thrower is right handed).  As the discus is released with an upward “pitch” and a “roll” away from the thrower the head wind creates lift and can give a discus (if thrown correctly) 1-3 meters  or 3-10 feet in distance.  This being said….I want to throw in strong head wind conditions.  Lone star here I come. 
 
I purchased my tickets and found the best possible deal.  I stayed with Justin Hobbs who is a friend of my good friend Kevin McCarthy who use to work in Lubbock.  He was a very hospitable and generous.  The two track meets went well.  I threw on Friday with a group of elite professionals and on Saturday with a group of college athletes.  Going into this meet I had a very limited number of throws with the 2k competition discus due to a right hip injury.  The hip is now good to go after excellent work by my massage therapists John and Rebecca hall but my timing with the discus proved to still need work.  I threw 189’10” on Friday and 188’6” on Saturday.  My goal for the season is 213 feet (the Word “A” standard) so I was a bit disappointed.  Not to worry, I have had several excellent practices after returning to Auburn, Alabama and I will throw again on the 16th of April.
 
If you are interested in coming to watch me compete here is a link to my competition schedule.  I will be in Alabama, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Oregon, and New York.
http://www.willconwell.com/competitions/
 
BABY CONWELL!!!
We had the itch and made the decision to start trying to have a baby in late December.  As I predicted we conceived the first month trying!  We are very excited and cannot wait for September 15th.  Kate was quite sick the first trimester but is now feeling much better.  She is beautiful as a little pregnant lady.  She is 16 weeks along and showing a very health little prego belly.  On April 14th we will be having our first ultrasound and we are praying for a healthy baby.  Please keep us in your prayers and check in with Kate as she progresses.  We will be in the Northwest in late June for the US National Track and Field Championships so that will be your chance to see kate and I…but mostly kate as she will be entering her 3rd trimester. 
 
Thank you all who continue to support and help me as I train 6 days a week toward the ultimate goal of making the 2012 Olympic Team.  This month we did not have any new team members  but I would like to mention someone I accidently left out last month.  Thank you Sarahjoy Marsh for your generous donation J .  If you would like help me continue to pursue my passion please click this link.  I am set up to receive monthly and one time donations through the non-profit, tax-deductable Evergreen Athletic Fund.  www.willconwell.com/donate
 
I will be posting my results on Facebook and my website at www.willconwell/competitions.  My next competition is April 16th here in Auburn, Alabama.

I have been working with coach Jerry Clayton here at Auburn University for just over one year.  Most throwing and drill sessions we talk about three major elements that are required to throw far.  1) Flexion 2) Balance 3) rotation  The cullmination of these three elements is seperation between the right shoulders and hips which leads to far throws.  I used dartfish last week to compare one of my throws last season to 3 world-elite throwers;  Gerd Kanter, Rutger Smith, and Piotr Malachowski.  My lack of hip rotation is UNDENIABLELY clear.  My left side is so active in the start of the throw while my right side waits and waits…..and waits.  The result is a rather linear movement across the ring and a shift into the finish of my throw. 

Click Here To Watch the 4 way comparison video

I have been working every day to refine…no, create a new techinque that my body’s memory fights.  The progress is slow but steady.  I will post a training video showing the new and improved hip rotation I have been working on.

I found this really cool video of Cory Martin throwing left handed.  The video says he is training left handed because of a wrist injury.  Very impressive!  I wish I could throw left handed with that technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1JeSZzTspA

The 104th Millrose games went down on Friday night (1/28/11).  This is a huge indoor track meet with the greatest athletes in the world.

Highlight videos can be found here

http://www.youtube.com/user/USATFweb

All-Athletics has released their world rankings and the USA is at the top of both the Mens and Womens rankings.  Each country has been ranked based on their top 8 throwers  in each country.

USA and Germany defended their first positions in the men’s and women’s Countries Throwing Rankings respectively.

Like last year, Germany is in second in the men’s ranking and Poland kept its third rank. Belarus improved from sixth to fourth and they are in number one position in men’s Hammer Throw.

USA is the unrivalled leader in Shot Put with a huge margin. The ranking of the men’s Discus Throw could not be any closer; one point between the first (Germany) and second (USA) and Estonia in third is just one point behind USA.

Finland proved again that the Javelin Throw is traditionally a Finnish event.

Germany represents a different class in women’s throwing. They are number one in three of the four events.

Cuba kept its leading position in Discus Throw, but they dropped from second to fifth in overall since last year. USA women  took the second position and China moved up to third.

All-Athletics.com Countries Rankings Throwing Events (combined) – Top 8:
(Shot+Discus+Hammer+Javelin)

 All-Athletics.com Countries Rankings by events – Top 3:
(The full event rankings are available on All-Athletics.com with an All-Access Pass)

Notes:
- The above lists are based on the rankings dated  28 December 2010. The All-Athletics.com Countries Rankings are published weekly
- View the Countries Rankings in each event
- To view the full contents subscribe for an All-Access Pass

I have compiled a list of the current male discus throwers in the USA.  I used the list from the USATF 2010 rankings page.  Then combined information from www.Tilastopaja.org (a track and field stats page).

                Click here to Download the Excel File    OR       Click here to Download the PDF