BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Portage High School senior and future Lady Tiger star Tori Bliss wrapped up her brilliant high school career Saturday with a state record-breaking and national-leading performance in the shot put to claim her third-straight state title at the Indiana Girls State Track & Field Championships.
Despite battling a severe ankle sprain suffered in the weeks leading up to the state finals, Bliss wanted her final competition for Portage High School to be a memorable one Saturday at Indiana’s Billy Hayes Track in Bloomington, which also served as the site of the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds just last weekend.
Bliss entered this year’s Indiana state meet with a previous personal best and 2011 national leader of 49-8 ¾ set in winning the shot put crown at the Duneland Athletic Conference Championships on May 10.
She wasted no time in establishing a new Indiana State Championship meet record with a personal record of 49 feet, 11 ¼ inches on her very first throw of the competition. Bliss then eclipsed the 50-foot mark for the first time in her career on four successive throws with marks of 50-8 on her second attempt, 50-3 ¼ on her third attempt, 50-9 on her fourth attempt and 50-2 ½ on her fifth attempt to secure a third straight state championship. She also won Indiana state titles as a sophomore in 2009 and as a junior in 2010.
By finishing the competition with a top mark of 50-9, Bliss shattered the previous 12-year-old state record of 49-7 set in 1999 by Edgewood High School’s Stacy Martin.
“It was absolutely amazing to go out and compete and get after it at this meet one last time,” Bliss said. “I knew this meet would be huge for me as a senior. I just didn’t know all the adversity I’d have to face with a sprained ankle. I just love to compete. I’m looking forward to making the transition to college.”
Saturday’s shot put competition at the Indiana Girls State Track & Field Championships actually featured the No. 1 and No. 2 performances nationwide among high school girls for the 2011 campaign. Bliss threw the No. 1-ranked mark in the country this season at 50-9 to outdistance the nation’s No. 2-ranked mark of 50-3 by Cassie Wertman of Southridge High School for the state championship.
“All season long, I’ve worked hard. I’ve clocked many hours in the weight room, taken many throws, and have completed many hours of drill work to prepare myself for a performance like the one I had this week at the state meet,” Bliss said. “I’ll do some more training this summer to help with my transition.”
Not only did Bliss win the shot put title, but she was also awarded the Robert S. Hinshaw Mental Attitude Award presented to the senior who excels in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability.