By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - With the Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships beginning on Friday, months of practicing, competing, and overall hard work will come to fruition this weekend. The men’s and women’s track and field teams are traveling to Johnson City, Tenn. with the goal of bringing home championships and further solidifying themselves as a track and field power at the Division I level.
The men will be looking for their second A-Sun title in three years, after winning the championship in 2008 and finishing as the Runner-Up to the annual host, East Tennessee State, last season. The women, for their part, will be looking to capture their first-ever A-Sun indoor title, after also finishing second in 2009 to Jacksonville, who has won all four A-Sun women’s indoor titles since the championship’s inception in 2006.
Coming into the championship, the men hold the top two marks in the conference in the 400 Meter Dash (Ethan Kasson-49.73 seconds, James Verdi-49.82 seconds), 4x400 Meter Relay (Travis Benton, Tremaine Grant, Ethan Kasson, Jemir Martinez- 3:19.60), High Jump (Jerome McKinzie- 7’2.5”), Pole Vault (Adam Reed- 15’7”), Shot Put (Josh McNair- 16.93 meters) and Weight Throw (Josh McNair- 18.10 meters).
Freshman sprinter Tremaine Grant, who broke school records in the 55 Meter and 60 Meter Hurdles during his first collegiate indoor season, was named the A-Sun Men’s Runner of the Week on February 17, and is expected to be a threat in several events this weekend.
The women, for their part, will be led by a mix of veterans and newcomers who have made their presence felt during the indoor season. Four were named A-Sun Athletes of the week this season, including junior distance runner Mackenzie Howe, sophomore jumper Suzzette Van-Lare, freshman pole vaulter Michelle Quimby, and sophomore sprinter Victoria Jackson. Quimby comes into Friday tied with Christina King of North Florida for the highest vault in the conference this season at 3.52 meters. Howe currently has the fastest time in the A-Sun in the 3,000 Meter Run with a time of 10:03.98.
With so much expected of these athletes this weekend, we asked several of them what it’s like to prepare to for a championship, as opposed to a regular meet on their schedule. Here are their thoughts:
Aaron Chamblee- Freshman, Pole Vault:
“The way I prepare for any meet, and especially a championship meet, is looking at a lot of video of previous meets and figuring out how to smooth out all the errors in my vault form. I also make sure I get enough sleep and stay hydrated through the week. When it comes time for the championship I start at a lower bar so I can almost eliminate the possibility of a no height and take some of the edge off my nerves.”
Erin Sutton- Senior, Distance:
“The only thing that I do differently before conference is take the two days before the race to make sure I am rested. Usually I only take it easy the day before the race. Since I run on Friday and Saturday, I will do only one easy run of about 6 miles on Wednesday and an easy 4 mile run on Thursday. This will be my last indoor race in college, so I am going to make sure I leave everything out on the track. Usually, I tend to run in my comfort zone in regular races, but I'm going to make sure I give it everything I have. Also, it is really important to motivate everyone on the team and cheer for them when they are competing.”
Josh McNair- Senior, Throws:
“The week of a championship, I do not change anything. I trust that my training will have me prepared. The only thing that really changes is my level of focus and concentration at practice. I simulate every throw that week to be as perfect as possible, while maintaining that focus so that I know how it feels, so when I get into competition it's not a new feeling for me. I try to treat this weekend as exactly what it is, ‘Championship Weekend’. That's how I look at it and it's my plan to leave with a championship. To do this each member of the team will have to carry one another, pushing each other harder during every attempt, every race. Conference weekend is when you see how bad a team really wants to win, because this is what counts.”
Jemir Martinez- Sophomore, Sprints:
“You treat this meet just like any other. You can't do anything "different" now from what you have been doing. Like Coach McGarey told us, this week was a fine-tuning week. Everybody has to make sure that they did everything right this week leading up the weekend. If everybody is on top of their game, I have no doubt that we will bring home the championship.”
Tremaine Grant- Freshman, Sprints/Hurdles:
“When it's time for a championship my priorities change dramatically. It's no longer about me trying to achieve for myself, but instead I am trying to achieve for my team. My main focus is to win my race. if a personal best is achieved, great! My first priority, though, is to contribute to our team goal which is to bring home a championship trophy.”
Suzzette Van-Lare- Sophomore, Jumps
“Since our first meet this season at Appalachian State, I have been telling myself: ‘This is conference’. It helps if you can try to emulate that same pride, and that same adrenaline and that same spirit that you feel at conference throughout the whole season. When you finally get to the championship all those feelings are heightened, and you get the sense of a ‘team bond’. I start to think of things like, ‘It's Erin Sutton's last year...wouldn't it be great for her to walk out with a team championship?’ or, ‘Britany Reilly (and many other of my teammates) are hurt and can't participate...how excited would they be if we brought home a trophy for them?’ That is what motivates me and pushes me even more.”
The championship will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Men’s and Women’s Pentathalon. You can follow the championship all day Friday and Saturday by using the Live Results link below.
Schedule of Events
Official Start List
Meet Notes
Live Results
