So many letters, so little time.
Los Altos Hills resident Allen Babayan last week was frantically writing to major sports apparel manufacturers across the country. Having recently qualified for the U.S. National Championships in the shot put, he was hoping to lure a sponsor like Nike, adidas or Reebok in time for the meet, which starts tomorrow in Eugene, Ore.
"I'm not sure it's going to happen because it's a long process," Babayan said. "But it's not like I'm asking to be on the cover of a Wheaties box. I just want some clothes and maybe some professional training."
Babayan would have written sooner if he could have, but the 27-year-old didn't know he would be competing in the national meet until June 12. That was the day Babayan unleashed a throw of 62 feet, 3 inches to win the Los Gatos Invitational.
"That was a big one," he said, "It propelled me to another level."
It propelled him to the national level, where those throwing under 61-2 need not apply. And Babayan, whose previous best was 60-11, reached this plateau in the nick of time. The Los Gatos meet was his last chance to qualify for this year's national, which runs through Sunday.
"It was nice to do it in my own backyard," Babayan said. "I've been competing at Los Gatos since high school and I like the ring."
The 1989 Mountain View High graduate said he wasn't all that surprised by his performance.
After all, he'd been on the brink of qualifying since the season started back in January. However, Babayan didn't expect to exceed 62 feet on his first throw of the day.
"I was just trying to make sure I didn't foul, because you never want to foul your first throw," he said. "I just gave it a yell and a go."
Babayan said he's had his sights set on the national meet since last July. He had just missed the 1998 national - throwing about a foot under the required distance at Los Gatos - and swore to himself he'd make it the next time around.
"This was total redemption for last year," said Babayan, who holds records at Foothill College and UC-Davis. "But I'm not celebrating yet because there's still work to do."
Babayan's next task is to qualify for the World Championships. The top three finishers at the nationals move on to the meet, which takes place next month in Italy.
Babayan said he will need to throw at least 67 feet to earn that European vacation. So, does he have another five feet in him?
"I have the strength and speed to do it, and if I line it up it could fly," he said. "It won't be easy, but anything's possible."
And if Babayan does qualify for the World Games, the sponsors may start sending him letters.