Portage’s Tori Bliss named Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year

Updated: July 21, 2011 1:26PM

When the pressure mounts, a lot of athletes fold up like an accordion.

Portage senior Tori Bliss isn’t one of them.

In fact, Bliss seems to thrive when the pressure rises.

“She’s one tough competitor,’’ Portage throws coach Mark Harsha said. “That’s one of the things you don’t coach and you don’t teach. Tori can dig deep and go after it — it’s a great characteristic to have.’’

At the recent New Balance Outdoor National Championships in Greensboro, N.C., Bliss demonstrated her poise under pressure once again — unleashing a personal-record toss of 50 feet, 91/2 inches in the shot put on the final throw of her high school career.

The feat enabled Bliss to climb from third place and successfully defend her national title in the event.

A couple of weeks earlier, Bliss captured a third straight state title in the shot put — she also won a state title in the discus as a junior — with a state record throw of 50 feet, 9 inches.

The Post-Tribune’s Track Athlete of the Year credits her mother, Debbie, for her poise under pressure.

“I guess her raising me as a single parent and doing whatever she could to make me happy has been an inspiration to me,’’ Bliss said. “It just goes to show you how hard work pays off. I’ve solemnly believed in that all along.’’

Bliss never knew her father (Bruce), who left before Tori was even born.

“We’ve had a lot of help and support from my grandparents (Dick and Jan), my uncles (Scott and Jeff), my aunts (Cindy and Dawn) and my cousins (Matthew, Kaitlyn and Ryan) but my mom has been the one who ultimately has sacrificed the most to keep me happy.

“I definitely get my work ethic and competitiveness from her. She’s always dug deep for me, so that’s made me want to dig deep, too.’’

Not having a father pushed Bliss toward a higher standard.

“Because of all the things I’ve accomplished without him in my life, I always think: ‘Why can’t I accomplish more?’ she said. “In my mind, there’s nothing that can hold me back.’’

Bliss has about a month left before she heads to Louisiana State University to begin her orientation as an SEC student-athlete.

“I’m excited about it and looking forward to going there,’’ she said. “The main thing I’m happy about is getting a full scholarship, because that takes the burden off my mom to have to find a way to pay off any loans for my schooling. When I think about everything my mom has worked to be able to give me, it makes me feel good to know I’m able to give something back to her.’’

Bliss said when she was growing up and needed money for something — like to travel to some competition or camp — her mom always found a way to get things done for her.

“My mom has done a really great job of filling both roles, so it doesn’t really feel like there was an absence of another parent,’’ she said.

Bliss admits she’s had mixed emotions about not having a father growing up.

“I think about it sometimes, and think: ‘God, I hate him.’

“I think to myself: ‘Why weren’t we good enough?’ Other times, I think: ‘We don’t need him. We’re doing just fine without him and we’re better off without him.’ Sometimes I think: ‘Is it my fault? Our fault? Weren’t we good enough for him to be around?

“More often than not, I believe we’re better off because of all the extra love and support I have from all the other members of my family.’’

All that love and support has produced one remarkable person.

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