Nineteen athletes will represent the University of B.C. at the May 25-27 NAIA Track and Field National Championships in Fresno, Calif. On paper, it appears the competition will be as hot as the weather as athletes are coming in with sizzling qualifying marks that should make for perhaps the most competitive NAIA championship ever contested.
“The standard is very high this year, some events are just loaded,” remarked
UBC track and field head coach Marek Jedrzejek. “Look at the 400 metres – there are five athletes under 47 seconds. Ira Thomson for UBC, who recently ran a big PB of 48.50, is ranked 26th and yet his time is very, very good. In the men’s 100 metres, the leading time is 10.18 seconds. Look at the high jump – there are about six athletes at 2.15 or higher, including our Mike Mason. Last year we had Ralph Botha there and he was fifth at 2.05. Schools are wanting to be more successful so they are looking to bring in athletes of quality and it is showing in the fields
for this years meet.”
Recent events further confirm Jedrzejeks point of impressive competition this year. Lindenwood junior Michael Rodger leads the NAIA men’s 100-metre list with a 10.18 effort. As a point to compare, last week American Justin Gatlin sprinted to a 100-metre world record 9.76 seconds in Qatar, with Canadas Anson Henry finishing fifth in a personal best 10.12.
A year ago the UBC women finished fourth at the NAIA championships. Losing some stalwarts to graduation, in addition to injury problems that have plagued both men’s and women’s squads this spring, Jedrzejek declares he would be happy with a top-10 finish in the women’s ranks this year.
Racewalker Megan Huzzey leads the T-Bird women as the No.1-ranked competitor in her event. She is seeking her third consecutive victory at the NAIA championships but Jedrzejek notes even her event has more depth and talent this year.
“Megan Huzzey, she is a two-time defending champion but even she has more competition this year,” he says. “There are a couple of new athletes at her level. Before, she literally walked away from everybody but this time for sure it will be a tight fight to the end.”
High jumper Mike Mason, the 2004 world junior champion with a personal best of 2.21 metres, leads the men’s team to Fresno although, as Jedrzejek noted, his event should also prove most competitive.
T-Bird freshman Aaron Dixon will compete in the NAIA championship decathlon, where he is currently ranked second behind Azusa Pacific senior Brian Bernard. Matthew Harriman, another UBC freshman, is currently ranked third in the racewalk while Jeff Symonds is ranked sixth in the steeplechase.
Middle distance runner Shane Carlos, who is nursing an Achilles injury is ranked ninth in the 1,500 metres and 14th in the 5,000 metres.
“We had some great performances at Mt SAC, a lot of us made standard there,” he said. “It is hard to run a best time every weekend. It’s a good sign for the NAIAs, to have a month to rest up after a strong performance, and get some good training in and hit it hard at the NAIAs. There, I really want to perform up to my potential, maybe go high 47s, try to make the final there. It will probably take a 47 high to make the final.” Thomson also concedes the heat in Fresno will offer as much of a challenge as some of the competitors. “I am doing a little bit of prep for that, I have been going into the sauna every day, trying to get ready for the heat,” he said. “Apparently it is going to be 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit – pretty smoking hot.”
