Scott City grad thinks London in 2012 may be more realistic

Loren Groves realizes that she is a long shot to earn a berth in this year's Summer Olympics.

But regardless of what happens during the U.S. Olympic Trials for track and field, the Scott City native knows her time still might come.

Groves will compete next week in the Olympic Trials hammer throw in Eugene, Ore., hoping to do well, but also with an eye on the future.

Many of the world's top hammer throwers don't peak until they are upwards of their mid-20s. Groves only recently completed her junior season at Kansas State University, so she has a long way to go.

That's why Groves will try to use the experience she gains next week to her benefit as she continues in her sport.

Groves figures that, regardless of what happens in Oregon, she will still have 2012 and even 2016 to try and fulfill her Olympic dreams.

"I know I'm going to get my butt kicked, but I'm real excited," said a laughing Groves, who will compete in the first round of the hammer throw Thursday, with the finals set for Saturday.

Groves already has reached one of her goals by simply making the Olympic Trials. Her season-best distance of 214 feet 5 inches ranks 14th among the 24 competitors next week.

"It's good to compete at the highest level," she said.

The top three finishers in the Olympic Trials will earn berths in the Beijing Games in August.

Groves will have a lot of ground to make up to enter that elite group. Three competitors have top throws of more than 230 feet, with seven more having thrown better than 220 feet. Groves lags about six feet behind even the 10th-ranked thrower.

"I'll be one of the youngest [hammer throwers] there, but it will be a good learning experience for me to compete against the best," Groves said. "It's an honor just to be there.

"Realistically, I know more than likely I won't make the Olympic team. But I hopefully have a long career ahead of me and my goal is to make one of the future Olympic teams. It would be awesome if I could make it to the finals."

Groves already has had an impressive year regardless of what transpires next week.

Groves recently earned her third collegiate All-American award by placing fifth at the NCAA outdoor championships.

She was also an indoor All-American this year, finishing sixth in the weight throw to duplicate her performance in that event from the previous season.

In addition, Groves has already won multiple Big 12 Conference titles, is the Big 12 record-holder for the indoor weight throw and is an academic All-Big 12 selection.

"I have progressed very well," Groves said. "I'm very excited about the year I've had."