TRAVES Smikle should be starting his college career about now and starting his preparation for the outdoor college season, but administrative snags will delay this until at least September.

However, instead of allowing the setback to affect him negatively, the National Junior record-holder and National Senior champion will use the time to try to qualify for the London Olympic Games.

Smikle, who created a stir when he landed a discus bronze medal at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Brixen-Bressanone on 2009 — the first Jamaican to medal in a throwing event at the global level — is confident he can get the qualifying distance and make the Jamaican team.

Despite his personal best with the 2kg disc of 59.83m set when he upset seven-time champion Jason Morgan at the Supreme Ventures National Senior Trials last June, he says he is on course for not just the 63.0m B qualifying standard, but also the 65.0m A standard.

“I threw 58-plus on Saturday (at the Big Throw meet at St Hugh’s) and given what I saw then, and that I only about 60 per cent ready right now, I have no doubt I can get the required distance in the time I have,” he asserted.

While he has completed school at Calabar, the IAAF World Junior Championships finalist in Moncton, Canada in 2010 said while he will be re-sitting the SAT exam, he will have a lot more time to concentrate on getting stronger and working on his technique as he goes after his biggest challenge.

Meanwhile, coach Julian Robinson is equally confident Smikle can make the team to the prestigious Games.

Robinson, who has built a throwing dynasty — which includes World Youth discus champion Fedrick Dacres and National Junior shot put record-holder Ashinia Miller at Calabar — told the Observer he had doubts earlier, but these were dispelled after Saturday.

“I was a bit concerned after what I saw (from Smikle) at the Douglas Forrest Meet, but his efforts on Saturday showed me he is on the right path and he can get the 65m qualifying mark,” said Robinson.

He said Smikle’s biggest problem was not physical strength. “It’s more mental as some days he does not seem motivated to work hard,” he said.

An injury to his left throwing hand is also a concern as Robinson says they don’t have the funds to get it fixed properly, but however praised Dr Kevin Jones and physiotherapist Debbie Callendar for the work done to ensure Smikle can compete.

He said Smikle “is not strong enough physically right now, but given the time he has, we can get him there”.

To do that, however, Robinson said they may have to make arrangements to get Smikle to lift weights at another venue outside of Calabar.

Not surprisingly, Smikle agrees with this assessment, adding that he will do his best to turn the setback into success.

“I don’t even want to call not going off to school a setback as I will use this opportunity to get better acquainted with the seniors and the 2kg discus so there will not be any adjustment period when I get to college,” he told the Observer.

“Track and field is largely mental,” said the CARIFTA Under-20 and Pan Am Junior gold medallist. “If you can visualise it and work hard enough, it will eventually become a reality; you just need to catch the vision.”

As to where he will attend school, he says he has settled on two but will decide in time.

“I have not signed anything yet, so it gives me some time and latitude.”

If his dreams come true, college athletics could be a step down as whichever school he attends in September could well be welcoming a freshman who has already rubbed shoulders with the best in the world.