Anthony Foster, Freelance Reporter

Zara Northover - photo by Anthony Foster

AS she craves for success in an event that doesn't attract huge support, Zara Northover's decision to quit her jobs and focus on making Jamaica's Olympic team seems to be paying off.

Northover, in preparation for the Beijing Olympics, was employed to Northeastern's Office of Alumni Relations in Burton, Massachusetts, in the United States and also acted as a volunteer assistant coach, to the school's track and field team.

However, she left those positions to focus on training full time and it has been 'so far, so good' as last Sunday she achieved the Olympic 'B' standard in the shot put at the Island Games, at Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale, New York.

"I was working at Northeastern full time ... I was trying to train, getting up at 6 O'clock in the morning, going to work between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and and did not have much time for treatments," she explained.

'Want to be throwing'

"Every time I would be at work around the computer, all I would think, I want to be throwing, I want to get closer."

Now, despite achieving the Olympic' B' standard, Northover hopes the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) will take her closer to her dream, which is to represent her country at the Olympics.

"I came in this year with a goal to make this Olympic team, to get the 'B' standard (17.20m), explained Northover, who threw 17.56m to win Sunday's event.

According to the Olympic rule, an athlete with a 'B' standard mark can compete at the Games, as long as no other athlete in that event achieves the 'A' standard mark. Kimberly Barrett competed at the last Olympic for Jamaica with a 'B' standard mark.

She admits her fate is in the hands of the authorities.

"So now it's up to the JAAA and the JOA to allow me that opportunity," she added while making it clear that "I am going after the 'A' standard."

Determined

However, though Northover is well aware of the rules, she is still determined to achieve the 'A' standard mark of 18.35m.

"Every meet I just want to get further and further," said Northover, who represented Jamaica for the first time at the Junior Pan-Am Games in Barbados (2003) where she placed second.

"I just want to keep going but it's difficult trying to train in the (United) States on your own without much support. It's tough, but this is a dream and I am moving in faith and I am going after it."

At the beginning of this year, Northover's personal best was 15.68m, but according to her "I just want to keep improving, keep getting better ... Keep moving in faith. I am going to be on that plane to Beijing."

Northover, who shortly after birth in Forth Lauderdale, Florida moved to Mandeville where she lived with her mom for four years, said being at the Olympics would mean a lot to her and her family.

Sacrifice

"It's going to mean the world to me ... my mom (Pearline Campbell) has sacrificed her whole life to put me in a position to go after the goal, to go and be able to represent her country, my country in the Olympics," said the Northeastern Alumni.

She believes her appearance at the Olympics would help "reach out to many of the youth ... to inspire them to go after their dreams."

Northover, who lives in the Boston area and trains with Northeastern assistant coach Joe Donahue, strength and conditioning coach Dan Boothby and athletic trainer, Tony Testa.

Northover, who holds the national junior record at 16.10m, has represented Jamaica at the 2004 NACAC Under-23 Cham-pionships where she finished third, CAC Senior and Pan Am Games, but finished outside of the medals.

"I just keep going for Jamaica, I keep trying my best to make these teams."

Northover's next competition will be the USATF New England Championship on Sunday at Bentley College.