<p>Another one of our alum, serving as an athlete after Graduation.</p>
<p>AFA Grad Pounds Gets Ready To Throw Javelin In Japan </p>
<p>By BRIAN GOMEZ THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE </p>
<p>Dana Pounds stood on the infield of the Air Force track, talking to her coach about the first time she tried throwing the javelin five years ago.
“I was bad,” Pounds told Scott Irving during a brief workout Saturday afternoon. “I was so glad I was out here by myself. It was embarrassing, and it was ugly.”
Now that American recordholder Kim Kreiner is sidelined with an elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery, Pounds is the nation’s top women’s javelin thrower.
The Air Force graduate will begin competition Aug. 28 at the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Osaka, Japan. Competition in other events starts Friday.
Pounds, 23, has been stationed at Peterson Air Force Base as a second lieutenant since she graduated last year with two NCAA championships and three All-America honors. She’s a member of the World Class Athlete Program, which provides funding for enlisted personnel training for the Olympics.
Last month, Pounds placed fourth at the Pan American Games. In June, she matched her personal-best throw of 195 feet, 8 inches to win the javelin at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
“Everything has to come together,” said Pounds, who has battled inflammation in her right (throwing) shoulder the past three months. “One little thing can mean 5 feet. Two little things is 10 feet.”
Pounds has not met the Olympic qualifying standard, which is 61 meters, or 200 feet. To make the 2008 Beijing Games, she must meet the standard and place in the top three next summer at the U.S. Olympic team trials.
“It’s still 11 months out,” Pounds said of the July 23, 2008, cutoff date for qualifying. “I am disappointed that I haven’t hit 61 meters yet. As soon as I hit that, it’s not going to be an issue anymore.” </p>
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