California dreamin' for jumps coach
Saturday, January 16 2010
Bob Shaughnessy/Staff Reporter
|
On Monday, assistant coach JaRod Tobler will leave for "The Golden State" where he will train to earn a spot on the United States' Olympic team.
In the summer of 2008, Tobler finished sixth at the US Olympic Trials in the long jump. In the trials he was second in qualifying (8.16m - 26' 9 1/4") and finished 6th overall (8.09m - 26' 6 1/2"), in the finals.
Although Tobler finished sixth in 2008, he said he thinks this is the year.
Being around the talent that Eastern recruits has showed him what being an Olympic contender is all about, according to Tobler.
"I was two places away from going to the Olympics, so that definitively sparked something more there and now I have time, and the opportunity, to get into the next Olympics and make the team and hopefully come back with the medal," Tobler said.
Tobler said he will be in Chula Vista, CA., for at least a year. If he makes enough progress, and he believes he will, he will stay there and continue to train with the team and go to London in 2012.
Tobler first started at Eastern in September of 2007.
Since then, he has coached many athletes including first-team All-OVC selection Ian Winston. Winston, who also competes in the long jump, said he believes his coach has a good shot at making the team and believes he will see him in the 2012 Olympics.
When Tobler returns from the Olympics he said he hopes there is still a spot open for him on the Eastern staff.
Tobler, who attended Illinois State, was a standout jumper and competed in the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championship. He was also the 2004 MVC Most Valuable Male Track Athlete.
After leaving, Tobler said he will keep in touch with the players and exchange texts to see how the team is doing.
Bob Shaughnessy can be reached at 581-7944
or rrshaughnessy@eiu.edu