He’s a Real Leg Man : Muscular Capistrano Valley Discus Thrower Approaches U.S. Prep Record

Betty Grable’s gams intrigued GIs during World War II. Dr. J’s pins have made him a legendary NBA aerial act. And Eric Dickerson’s wheels carried him to an NFL rushing record.

In case it isn’t clear, the subject is legs.

Brian Blutreich, weightman on the track team for Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, has a major league set.

“He’s got great levers,” said Capistrano Valley Coach Tom White. “The legs are so powerful, and his arms are strong, too. You’ve got to have the levers to be a good thrower.”

Capistrano Valley’s strength coach, David Elecciri, agreed.

“He’s got great legs and great hips,” said Elecciri. “His hips and legs are where it’s at. His power and strength are amazing. He draws so much power from his legs and that translates into distance.”

Blutreich, a massive 6-5, 250-pound block of muscle, with hands large enough to sit in, whirled his way to a State record March 28, throwing the discus 210 feet 8 inches.

This afternoon at 4, during Arcadia High School’s prestigious track and field Invitational, the UCLA-bound senior will step into the ring again, attempting to break the U.S. mark of 213-6 set by Kansas prep Clint Johnson in 1980.

That record may not fall, since Blutreich has been suffering from a slight groin-pull and a tender muscle in his right chest. But just in case, Arcadia officials have done some reconstructive surgery on the discus ring so that it conforms to national standards.

Blutreich said: “213-6. I think about it a lot. Not every day, but I think about it. They’re lowering the discus circle just for me, so in case I do set a record, it will count. Records are important but not as important as throwing well. I just try for personal bests.

“If I don’t throw well Saturday, I won’t be embarrassed or anything, just because a lot of people are there. I know that I can throw far. I’m just going to do the best I can.”

Being the best in the nation in the discus this season may be attributed, at least in part, to Blutreich’s year-round technique work with his father, Len, a former thrower at Cal State Los Angeles, and to countless hours in the weight room with Elecciri, religiously doing squats, presses and power cleans.

The prime catalyst in a 30-foot improvement from last year, however, was actually a wrist injury.

“I really like the shot better, and I had thrown a 68-4. I was kind of hoping to be the first California boy to throw over 70 feet, and I really thought that 75 was realistic for this year,” Blutreich said. “But when I was training for the Pan American junior team, I stretched the ligaments in my wrist real bad. So over the summer, I couldn’t throw the shot.

“That’s when I really worked on my discus form. See, it takes like 10 years to really get the form down in the disc. You’ve got to keep working on it. But I worked out four or five times a week during the summer, and you could gradually see it starting to come together.”

According to Blutreich, it came together a little prematurely--during a dual meet against Mission Viejo High.

“I wasn’t expecting to break the State record, because I wasn’t planning to throw hard, since we had a big meet coming up,” he said. “But the wind was good, so I tried to hit one. When they told me how far it was, I was kind of surprised, since it was cold. If it had been warmer I might have thrown it farther.”

Blutreich’s wrist is slowly returning to normal, and he admits that if the State meet were held today, he would likely post a double victory in the shotput and the discus. His best throw in the shot is 63-11 , more than four feet ahead of his nearest rival.

The disparity is greater in the discus, where Blutreich’s edge is close to 30 feet. But he says it’s too early to start putting the trophies on the mantel.

“The quality of throwers is not as good as last year,” he said. “And I’m not putting down the throwers this year. It’s just that last year, there were some good throwers.

“But it’s early in the season, and someone could come out of nowhere. John Knight (of Oak Park) is really starting to blossom. He’s a big guy and he’s capable of hitting one at any time.

“I’m throwing like 75% in the shot. I’d really like to get a 70 (feet), but the national mark is something like 81 (81-3 1/2) set by Michael Carter. I can’t believe that. That was incredible. He was a man in high school. He was unreal. He threw a 16-pound shot 67 (67-9) in high school. That’s insane.

“It’s too early to say I’m the best in the nation. There were five juniors (in the discus) who were ahead of me last year, and it’s still snowing back East. So I don’t think I have anything wrapped up. I’ll just wait and see what the marks are.”

One person who is going to be watching the marks closely is Elecciri.

“Strength is the foundation for Brian’s success,” Elecciri said. “Every hour he spends in the weight room translates to an inch of distance. That’s where he found 30 feet. To do that in one year just shows you how devoted he is. He is power personified.

“For his effort and the extra time he puts in with his dad, he deserves a 220 (feet). But 217 is definitely within his grasp, and if he hits one just right, there’s no telling what he can do.”

Blutreich’s dedication did not go unnoticed by UCLA, the school that turned out John Brenner, a double winner in last year’s NCAA meet. According to Coach Bob Larsen, UCLA weight specialist Art Venegas believes that Blutreich is Brenner reincarnate.

“It’s hard to predict with a person that’s so young,” said Larsen of his 18-year-old recruit. “But his potential is really unlimited. At this point and at his level, he’s the best ever in terms of quality throws. He’s got size, speed and the dedication it takes to excel.

“Plus, if you’ve seen him throw, you know he’s got the levers to be great.”

The discus competition will open the 18th annual Arcadia Invitational at 4 p.m., with the rest of the field events scheduled to begin at 5:30. The running events will start at 6:30. The high school is located at 234 Campus Drive in Arcadia.