SoHi graduate Blackburn takes step forward in her Olympic dream

Soldotna’s Paige Blackburn is not giving up on her dreams of becoming an Olympian, and neither is the Air Force Academy.

The 2012 Air Force graduate was recently given the OK to proceed with her training as a javelin and discus thrower at the University of Florida after a yearlong stint in Hawaii. Blackburn will be training through the World Class Athletes Program, a highly coveted and exclusive program that gives athletes the chance to train for national and international competitions. Many also attempt to compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Blackburn, a 2008 Soldotna graduate, said the opportunity to train with the best at a place she is familiar with (Florida) has been a long time coming. Eight full months to be exact.

“It definitely took a lot of patience,” Blackburn said. “It was frustrating not knowing. But I’m definitely glad they said yes.”

After submitting paperwork to join the WCAP last June while stationed in Honolulu, Blackburn said she had to wait on higher-ranked personnel to sign off and give her approval to go ahead with the program.

It ultimately took until the middle of February for a two-star general — the third one to sign it — to finish the deal.

“I guess the third time’s the charm,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn, a First Lieutenant, said she has been eligible for the two-year program for a few years, but because she just got permission in February, she will only be involved with the WCAP for 18 months. After that, Blackburn is hoping for a spot on the U.S. squad at the 2016 summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

If the process hadn’t worked out, Blackburn said her game plan would have been to stay in Hawaii for another two years, where her throwing career might have ended.

“I guess I would’ve stayed in shape, but I would’ve stopped with my Olympic plans,” she said. “I had a plan, and the way I was training, I was planning it was gonna come through.”

It started in September, when one-star general Timothy Green gave Blackburn a call one day at her desk. He discussed her plan with her and asked her opinions on what she hoped to accomplish and why she was doing it. Blackburn explained to Green that she wanted to stay involved in engineering, which was a big bargaining factor.

“No one would take time to call me,” Blackburn said. “But one thing I’ve learned is the Air Force is like a family. They want to take care of you, and him calling, he was making sure I was making the right decision.”

Blackburn assured Green that her participation in the WCAP would not compromise her engineering effort at the University of Florida.

“I told him I’m not just a meathead,” Blackburn quipped. “I’ll be working on my engineering development.”

Apparently, that was all Green needed to know. He gave his support and approval of Blackburn’s application. From there, it took until January for a three-star general to sign off, after which it had to be pushed up to a two-star general who approved it the second week of February.

As far as making the move to Florida, Blackburn said the choice was easy, adding that it is important to have a proper training environment to have any chance at completing her Olympic dream.

“Basically they let you go where you’re going to be the most successful,” she said.

Blackburn moved to Florida for graduate school after her four years at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, where she spent three semesters and built up strength leading up to her big 2013 campaign.

“I already have my support established in Florida,” she explained. “I’ve got my favorite chiropractor and physical trainer, so there’s no rebuilding.”

After a strong 2013 season that saw her nab a top-10 result in the javelin at the U.S. National Track and Field meet in Des Moines, Iowa, and set personal bests in both the javelin and discus, Blackburn suffered a joint injury in the fall of that year that slowed her progress and training regimen.

When she moved to Hawaii in January 2014, Blackburn began the recovery process by hitting the weight room. It took her a solid five to six months to fully recover, a process that was made a little more difficult with the drive she was making every morning and night to and from the University of Hawaii while also working eight to 12 hours a day and lifting six days a week.

But Blackburn said the drive to reach the goals she set out for herself kept her mind in the game and ready to jump on any opportunity. Her acceptance into the WCAP was the realization of those goals.

“I don’t wanna be looking back later in life, and think, man why didn’t I at least try?” she said. “You never know.”

More in Sports

Cook Inlet Academy sophomore Ian McGarry battles for a rebound against Birchwood Christian on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at Cook Inlet Academy just outside of Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
CIA’s Ian McGarry gets 1A boys Player of Year

Cook Inlet Academy sophomore Ian McGarry was named the Class 1A boys… Continue reading

The Kenai Central cheerleading team. Back row, left to right: Caitlyn Martin, Sylvia McGraw, Ayla Tallent, Sarah Baisden, Genesis Trevino, Malena Grieme, Maya Montague, Taya Swick and Cali Holmes. Front row, left to right: Ella Romero, Brooklynn Reed and Makenize Harden. (Photo provided)
Kenai cheerleaders win 3rd straight state title

The Kenai Central cheerleading squad won its third straight Division II March… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears goalie Nils Wallstrom celebrates winning a shootout over the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Brown Bears sweep Ice Dogs, move into 3rd place

The Kenai River Brown Bears earned a two-game sweep over the Fairbanks… Continue reading

tease
Bears top Dogs, move into 4th place

The Kenai River Brown Bears defeated the Fairbanks Ice Dogs 4-3 on… Continue reading

tease
Kenai girls take 4th, Kenai boys take 6th at state

The Kenai Central girls basketball team took fourth place and the Kardinals… Continue reading

Chad Anderson of Kasilof and Allie Ostrander guide Everett Anderson, 3, to the finish line Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the Salmon Run Series at Tsalteshi Trails. Getting the free ride on Chad’s shoulders is Ben Anderson, 2. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Ostrander, Gemmell make Alaska High School Hall of Fame

Allie Ostrander, a 2015 graduate of Kenai Central High School, and Joshua… Continue reading

Kenai Central High School esports players participate in a practice match of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ahead of a scheduled game at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Esports Week 6: Nikiski is 1st local team to earn playoff spot

Each of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s esports teams had a… Continue reading

tease
Kenai girls, boys move to 4th-place games

The Kenai girls and boys basketball teams both notched victories Friday at… Continue reading

tease
Bears host Ice Dogs, renew fight for playoff spot

The Kenai River Brown Bears begin a two-game series with the Fairbanks… Continue reading

Most Read