The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Editor's Note: This week Collegian Sports will focus on the exploits and training of six current and former rams as they prepare to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials July 9 to 18 in Sacramento, Calif.

When July 15 rolls around most of CSU's student body and faculty won't be thinking about CSU. Most will be home, working a summer job or just relaxing and taking in the vacation that is summer. Former Ram Brian Trainor isn't like most of the students or faculty at CSU.

Trainor will be throwing a discus with all of his might when the rest of the Front Range reaches the middle of the summer. If the discus that he throws can travel 63.5 meters (208 feet 4 inches) Trainor will have much to celebrate.

If he reaches the mark, Trainor will be headed to Athens, Greece, to represent the United States in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

It began with a whimper

When Brian Trainor started his track career he was not near the talent that he is today.

"I won most improved (athlete)," the 2003 graduate said. "That shows how bad I was."

The discuss thrower had a rough freshman year in high school as far as track was concerned.

"I kept falling down," he said of his malfunctioning form. "I couldn't get the proper motion down."

Then during his sophomore year he developed his standing power throw and that year he won state.

The 24-year-old, La Junta, Colo., resident trains every extra minute he has to work toward increasing his current best throw of 62.24 meters (204-2 1/4).

Tough Training, tough Trainor

Trainor starts his day at 5:15 a.m. with a stretch then he goes to West View Middle School in Longmont to teach the students in technology class. Then every day after work he alternates either throwing or lifting weights for one to two hours.

CSU possesses some of the best talent in the nation by far, Trainor said.

"I don't know any other colleges that will have this many competitors at qualifiers," said Trainor in reference to July's U.S. Team Trials.

But before Trainor can qualify he will need to hit the A-qualifying standard for throwers, a standard that is but 1.26 meters away for Trainor.

"If I hit it I will probably go," Trainor said. "In my opinion I'm second only to (former Ram) Casey (Malone)."

It could end with a bang

If Trainor can't hit the elusive mark he will have four more years to practice and train to become the best in the world.

"I'll just keep trying," he said. "I'm one of the youngest guys as far as throwing goes. You usually hit your peak just before you turn 30."

When Trainor was a freshman in college he traveled to the Junior Olympic Training Camp. It was there that, "They told me that 2004 will not be your year, 2008 will be your time."

In 2008 Trainor will be 28.

If 2004 is indeed not the year for Trainor he might be joined by his brother in 2008. Adam Trainor, a redshirt-athlete at Colorado State, competes in the hammer throw.

"He's worked his butt off and built himself up from 190 to 250 pounds," said Brian Trainor of his brother.

The future might hold some great things from both of the Trainor brothers.

Article Tools