Track & Field Revved Up for NCAA Regional with Eyes on Nationals

May 21, 2018

Every college track and field student-athlete wants the chance to compete at the NCAA Championships on what is considered hallowed ground in Eugene, Oregon. The last hurdle in getting there is on the horizon as 18 individual South Carolina student-athletes along with two relay squads compete at the NCAA Regional Thursday through Saturday in Tampa, Florida.

For some of the Gamecocks, it’s their first time competing in the postseason. Others have been there before, but the opportunity to compete to get to nationals never gets old.

“It’s definitely still exciting to go there,” said senior Josh Awotunde, who competes in the shot put and hopes to make nationals for the third straight year. “All year long, you’re looking at shot put results and seeing who is on top for all the other events. You’re seeing guys and girls who are close to breaking world records. They’re all going to be at nationals. Just the feeling that you’re a part of that means that you’re a top tier athlete in the country. Knowing what’s expected of you when you get there, never gets old.”

“I want to go so bad,” said sophomore pole vaulter Hailey Sweatman. “I told myself last year that I’m going to Oregon. Then when I found out that this would be the last year that I could go to Oregon because it will be in Texas the next two years while they build the new stadium, I told myself I’m going to Oregon before I leave!”

“I’m just going with the flow,” mused freshman KD Young, who will compete in shot put. “I would love it so much to get there. I’m just trying to build myself up with confidence that I will be able to do it in those three throws. It’s all who can take advantage of how they’re feeling that day.”

In order to qualify for the NCAA Regional, student-athletes must rank inside of the region’s top-48 in an individual event or top-24 in a relay after scratches. Out of the 48 competitors in the individual events, only the top 12 advance from each region to nationals, so the pressure to perform is keen.

“I’ve never been the regional champ,” Awotunde said. “Regionals are different than nationals because you only get three throws. At nationals and SECs, you have six. That makes it pretty tough. I throw my best in the sixth round, so I’m going to have to rev it up sooner. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do early on.”

“It is a really big meet, and it’s really exciting because of the competition,” Young said. “We have only three throws instead of six, which we normally have. So, there’s a little more pressure to get your greatest throw on your first one. While I’m doing warm ups, we treat those as my first few throws, so I try to hit good marks there.”

“It doesn’t matter what you are ranked. It matters what you do that day,” Sweatman added. “I’ve been thinking about my form and technique and how I need to clear bars on my first attempt because even if I clear the same height as someone else, if they clear it before me, they’ll go (to nationals), and I won’t. Attempts matter. So, first attempts are crucial.”

I’m most confident that I’m capable of winning it. I’m going to try my best to go out with a bang.

Josh Awotunde

The first-time regional qualifiers lean heavily on their older peers for advice on how to handle the pressure.

“I’ve talked to them so much because they’re older and more experienced,” Young said. “I talk to them about technique as well as their experiences from other meets. I talk to them about when they get pumped up and where they get pumped up. When I walk into the circle, I hear everybody cheering. I get really excited, but then as soon as that happens, a switch flips, and I don’t hear it anymore.”

“I spoke to (teammate) Armand (Woodley),” Sweatman said. “He just told me to keep my head on straight and don’t pay attention to what everyone else is doing. You have to be prepared for anything.”

“You have to know what you’re capable of,” Awotunde said. “All of these athletes are here for a reason. They’re here because they can compete at a high level. I tell the younger athletes not to do anything out of the ordinary. Keep it simple. You’re good enough to be here, so just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Each of the Gamecocks have had their personal-best moments this year to get to where they are. Awotunde ranks second in the region and third nationally. He is coming off a spectacular performance at the SEC Outdoor Championships, where he took the silver medal, while twice breaking the school record after some dramatic lead changes after each throw between he and Georgia’s Denzel Comenentia.

“I had a great time at SECs,” Awotunde said. “Denzel and I have gone back and forth for the last couple of years. We’ll see each other again at regionals. I’m excited to compete with him again, and hopefully I get the win this time. I do feel confident.”

Many of the Gamecocks started their track careers in grade school. Awotunde started out as a sprinter, and was later a high school quarterback. Young wanted to play basketball, and her father built her a court in the back yard. She discovered track as a way to stay in shape and never looked back. Sweatman was an active kid who was always climbing trees and tumbling, so the pole vault was a natural fit.

Regardless of their backgrounds, they’ve all made it to a place where the dream of competing at the highest level in college is one step away, and they can’t wait to see what happens next.

“I’m not really nervous,” Young said. “I’m just excited to see where I end up. I want to see where all my hard work takes me. I’m excited to see where I can go from here. To throw against women that are four years older than me is awesome. They are women. They are built! They are more muscular than me. They’re so strong! It is so much fun to watch their technique because they’ve been doing it longer. It’s really fun, so that’s what I’m excited about.”

“It’s a challenge,” Sweatman said. “Pole Vault is one of the most mental events in all of track and field. You’re running with a long stick, and throwing yourself up. One small mistake can put you back on the track, or can make you land in the box.”

“It would be awesome to get to nationals again,” Awotunde said. “When I was a freshman, Coach (Curtis) Frye took us out there for junior nationals. We walked the Prefontaine Trail, and we all signed our names there. They’re about to tear down that stadium and build a brand new one. This could be the last time to compete at the stadium the way it is now. Every year that I’ve been there, I thought I was capable of winning it. This year, I’m most confident that I’m capable of winning it. I’m going to try my best to go out with a bang.”