Blake Adams returns to state in both shot put and discus events
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Fairfield’s Blake Adams was a state qualifier for the shot put last season in Division III. Now, as a senior, Adams has doubled up on her state events, adding the discus with her return to the state shot put event as she sets her sights on competing with the best of the best this weekend in the OHSAA State Track and Field Championships at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Adams had a regional discus distance of 115-04 to be the regional runner-up, and also at regionals, she had a throw of 37-06.75 (third place) in the shot put to qualify for state. Adams, now a two-year qualifier for state, spoke about the accomplishment.
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“It was honestly really awesome (qualifying for two state events),” Adams said. “We knew that I was really close to qualifying for shot, so we knew I was kind of going to be in for that, but discus we didn’t know if I was going to get in there. It was kind of like ‘OK, just show up and do your best and pray and hope that you get it,’ and we ended up going and getting regional runner-up, and it was amazing. It was an amazing feeling.
“My goal for the shot put is at least to break the 40, maybe even higher, but I’ve really got to work on my technique form to really make it work this week. I knew at the end of state last year I really wanted to kick it in with discus. I mean, I started off doing discus last year – that was my first time – and I knew that I really wanted to kick it in this year and really start working hard. I put it in over the summer, and the numbers started going up.”
One of the reasons Adams showed improvement was her work with coaches at Paint Valley, as that program has sent athletes to state with great success over the years – including a state champion in both events in 2017 — as she spent four hours daily in Bainbridge working on both the shot and discus events.
“What changed this year is over the summer, I started working with Paint Valley. They have a good throws program down there, and I started working with them and they really started working on my form and technique,” Adams said. “That really just started developing, and I started knowing what I was doing more with the discus and the shot put.”
In that work, Adams changed the way she makes throws so she can be competitive at the collegiate level next year, as she has signed her letter of intent to join the track and field program at Walsh University. In preparing for the next level, she has seen success at the high school level improve greatly.
“I think when it started turning around is we went down to Eastern Relays down at Louisville, and I came out and felt really good. I was like, ‘OK, this is the day, let’s set a really high PR.’ I came out with a 110, and I was like ‘OK! It’s going! Just keep working, and it’s going to be something good,’” Adams said. “Last year, my final at district was like a 92, and I didn’t even make podium. This year, I showed up to districts and threw a 116, so I was really excited with that.
“When you go to the college level, mostly all the athletes spin. I knew that if I wanted to break that 40 range, like I’ve been trying so hard, I’d have to spin and get torque in the front, which I am starting to do. So that’s what I’m hoping to do. My best throw is a 39.4, so close to 40 – right on the verge of it.”
Fairfield girls track coach Kesia McCoy spoke about Adams’ season and how hard the senior has worked to get back to state in two events this year.
“We set off at the beginning of the year, and that was our number-one goal: let’s make it back to state this year, but let’s try to go ahead and go for two events,” McCoy said. “She has a lot of people that are cheering her on. This couldn’t have been done without the help from a lot of other coaches. I know Coach Baker from Paint Valley has worked a ton with her. A lot of her success is from him and Coach Bates.”
McCoy said that Adams “is a prime example that greatness is earned and not given.”
“She is one of the most dedicated athletes that I’ve ever seen,” McCoy said. “She deserves everything that she’s been given right now. All coaches dream to have somebody like her. Blake is a leader on the team. She’s the first one here, last one to leave.
“She is a wonderful teacher. You see how well she teaches the rest of our throwing team, and that team just keeps growing and growing and gets bigger and bigger. I think a lot of that is to thank Blake for, because she has set the environment in which they learn, and they want to be like Blake. They know they have big shoes to fill, and she’s going to help them all get there.”
With this being the final competition for Adams with Fairfield, the three-sport (volleyball, basketball, track and field) athlete said she was excited to be at state once again.
“I’m still excited. The nerves are always going to be there, competing at Jesse Owens Stadium – it’s insane, the quality of athletes that are up there,” Adams said. “I’m still excited, but I know what I’ve got to do, and I’m ready for it. What I’m looking forward to the most this weekend is just trying to get up on that podium and really being up there with my teammates and finishing my senior year off right.
“I’d like to thank my family and my friends and my coaches for all they’ve done for me.”
Adams had a regional discus distance of 115-04 to be the regional runner-up, and also at regionals, she had a throw of 37-06.75 (third place) in the shot put to qualify for state. Adams, now a two-year qualifier for state, spoke about the accomplishment.
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“It was honestly really awesome (qualifying for two state events),” Adams said. “We knew that I was really close to qualifying for shot, so we knew I was kind of going to be in for that, but discus we didn’t know if I was going to get in there. It was kind of like ‘OK, just show up and do your best and pray and hope that you get it,’ and we ended up going and getting regional runner-up, and it was amazing. It was an amazing feeling.
“My goal for the shot put is at least to break the 40, maybe even higher, but I’ve really got to work on my technique form to really make it work this week. I knew at the end of state last year I really wanted to kick it in with discus. I mean, I started off doing discus last year – that was my first time – and I knew that I really wanted to kick it in this year and really start working hard. I put it in over the summer, and the numbers started going up.”
One of the reasons Adams showed improvement was her work with coaches at Paint Valley, as that program has sent athletes to state with great success over the years – including a state champion in both events in 2017 — as she spent four hours daily in Bainbridge working on both the shot and discus events.
“What changed this year is over the summer, I started working with Paint Valley. They have a good throws program down there, and I started working with them and they really started working on my form and technique,” Adams said. “That really just started developing, and I started knowing what I was doing more with the discus and the shot put.”
In that work, Adams changed the way she makes throws so she can be competitive at the collegiate level next year, as she has signed her letter of intent to join the track and field program at Walsh University. In preparing for the next level, she has seen success at the high school level improve greatly.
“I think when it started turning around is we went down to Eastern Relays down at Louisville, and I came out and felt really good. I was like, ‘OK, this is the day, let’s set a really high PR.’ I came out with a 110, and I was like ‘OK! It’s going! Just keep working, and it’s going to be something good,’” Adams said. “Last year, my final at district was like a 92, and I didn’t even make podium. This year, I showed up to districts and threw a 116, so I was really excited with that.
“When you go to the college level, mostly all the athletes spin. I knew that if I wanted to break that 40 range, like I’ve been trying so hard, I’d have to spin and get torque in the front, which I am starting to do. So that’s what I’m hoping to do. My best throw is a 39.4, so close to 40 – right on the verge of it.”
Fairfield girls track coach Kesia McCoy spoke about Adams’ season and how hard the senior has worked to get back to state in two events this year.
“We set off at the beginning of the year, and that was our number-one goal: let’s make it back to state this year, but let’s try to go ahead and go for two events,” McCoy said. “She has a lot of people that are cheering her on. This couldn’t have been done without the help from a lot of other coaches. I know Coach Baker from Paint Valley has worked a ton with her. A lot of her success is from him and Coach Bates.”
McCoy said that Adams “is a prime example that greatness is earned and not given.”
“She is one of the most dedicated athletes that I’ve ever seen,” McCoy said. “She deserves everything that she’s been given right now. All coaches dream to have somebody like her. Blake is a leader on the team. She’s the first one here, last one to leave.
“She is a wonderful teacher. You see how well she teaches the rest of our throwing team, and that team just keeps growing and growing and gets bigger and bigger. I think a lot of that is to thank Blake for, because she has set the environment in which they learn, and they want to be like Blake. They know they have big shoes to fill, and she’s going to help them all get there.”
With this being the final competition for Adams with Fairfield, the three-sport (volleyball, basketball, track and field) athlete said she was excited to be at state once again.
“I’m still excited. The nerves are always going to be there, competing at Jesse Owens Stadium – it’s insane, the quality of athletes that are up there,” Adams said. “I’m still excited, but I know what I’ve got to do, and I’m ready for it. What I’m looking forward to the most this weekend is just trying to get up on that podium and really being up there with my teammates and finishing my senior year off right.
“I’d like to thank my family and my friends and my coaches for all they’ve done for me.”