Being a college athlete is an accomplishment in itself. Throw in the requirements of a demanding nursing major, and the success of competing nationally in shot put and you have junior Ally Tobin. After finishing fourth in the NCAA National Indoor Track meet this year, Tobin has continued her success to the outdoor season. She has placed first in five of the six meets in which she competed. The only non-first place was the 11th place finish she had at the Jesse Owen Classic at The Ohio State University May 2-3. Head track coach Doug Welsh described Tobin as "outstanding." It is hard to believe that she never picked up a shot until her senior year of high school. In high school Tobin concentrated on soccer and basketball but during spring training for basketball she tried her hand at throwing. After that first season of throwing, Tobin competed in the state meet.
Tobin was hesitant to compete at the college level. Her main concern upon arriving at Otterbein was her education. Tobin knew that nursing was a demanding major. However, Otterbein Alum and now throwing coach, Molly Busik, gave Tobin some advice and convinced her to compete. Busik isn't surprised at Tobin's success. "I have gotten to see her working since freshman year. I just wish there was more competition in the conference for her," explained Busik. Tobin has consistently out-thrown OAC competition by a meter all season. But in addition to throwing the shot put well, Tobin does a pretty good balancing act. Tobin spends seven hours, once a week, at St. Ann's for her nursing clinical. The time she spends practicing can at times be therapeutic. "It's a release for me. Practice is a way for me to get away from it all," said Tobin. This is the third trip to the Outdoor National Championship Meet. Though she competed both freshmen and sophomore year, she wasn't able to make it into the finals.It was this year at the Indoor National Championship that she finally made it to the finals, and once she got there she excelled. Of the nine athletes that go onto the finals, only eight place. Just before her last throw, where was Tobin ranked? Ninth. "I wasn't going to let myself be the only one not to place," explained Tobin. With her last throw Tobin threw far enough to claim fourth place. For this year outdoor National Champion-ship Tobin is hoping for similar, if not better, results. Tobin says really good coaching is what has been the greatest contributor to her success. "It is very rarely done," Coach Welsh said describing Tobin's consistent success. "She is an elite student and an outstanding athlete."t&c;
