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UNLV's Marable Set to Take New Shot at Records By Jeff Wollard, Las Vegas Review-Journal (1/13)
Jan. 13, 2000
According to UNLV track coach Karen Dennis, it's just a matter of time before her team becomes one of the elite programs in the nation. For at least one of her athletes, that time already has arrived. When it comes to the shot put, few can compete with the Rebels' Jessica Marable. The 2000 indoor track season is set to begin Saturday, and Marable has made it clear she intends to improve on last year's record performances. "If all goes well, I'm hoping for top-three in (NCAA) Nationals this season," Marable said. "I believe I'm able to throw at that level. It's just going to take more effort with training in the weight room and out in the field. I'll just have to stay focused." For Marable, a psychology major, 1999 was a season to remember. As a junior, she earned All-America honors on her way to the NCAA Championships in the indoor and outdoor shot put. Although she placed second in the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships and eighth in the NCAA Outdoor Championships, she feels her work was left unfinished. She speaks as if her efforts have fallen short of her goals. But Marable has nothing to be ashamed of, opening eyes across the nation last season by setting school records in the indoor shot put (50 feet, 9 1/4 inches), the outdoor shot put (52-2 3/4) and the discuss (171-6). Even so, she has her mind set on winning the conference this year in preparation for a return trip to the NCAA Championships in the spring. According to Marable, it all started by accident. While playing basketball in 1991 for her junior high team in Carson City, she learned that her coach, Steve Pradere, also was the Carson High School track coach. The following year, Marable joined the team and won the state championship in the shot put as a freshman. "It's funny," Marable said. "When (Pradere) urged me to try the shot, I said, 'What's a shot?'" She learned in a hurry, going on to win five state championships for the Senators -- three in the shot put and two in the discuss. "I don't know what it was," she said, "but I picked it up really well." Although she was recruited by a number of universities, Marable elected to attend junior college, completing stints at Western Nevada Community College in Carson City and Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore. But in 1998, she decided it was time to make the move to UNLV. "I don't think anybody really knew where I was at that point," said Marable, whose parents live Carson City. "Then Reno and UNLV started calling me. I always liked Vegas, and I liked the idea of being away from home without really being away from home." Marable also pointed out that she was impressed by UNLV's facility and coaching staff. "The coaches are very dedicated," she said. "And they're able to give you individual time because the team is such a nice size." Marable and the Rebels will get their first test of the indoor season Saturday at the NAU Invitational in Flagstaff, Ariz. While UNLV will send five All-WAC athletes into its inaugural MWC event, Marable will clearly lead the way. Dennis said it may be the most balanced team she has had, and she feels the switch to the smaller MWC could benefit her squad. The indoor season will culminate with the inaugural Mountain West Conference Indoor Championships in Colorado Springs on Feb. 24-26. The Rebels will then kick off their outdoor season in March before hosting the annual UNLV Invitational on April 7-8.
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