BSU Track Team Competes in Indoor Nationals
By Tonya Walton
Aaron Johnson jumped a height of 6-10 ½ in the high jump placing 8th and his brother Sean Johnson placed 11th with a jump of 21- 10 ¾ in the long jump.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was hosted by Adams State College, held in Albuquerque, N.M., at the convention center on March 12-13.
The top athletes that made the qualifying times, jumps, or height from all major division II schools were competing for that number one spot as a champion in there desired event.
The colleges and universities that were competing were Adams State, St. Augustine's, Johnson C. Smith, American Internationals, Indiana (PA) Tiffin, UMass Lowell, Ashland, Colorado Mines, Neb-Kearney, Stonehill, Missouri State, Western Washington, Metro State, Emporia State, Findlay and Saginaw Valley State.
The four athletes who made it to compete in New Mexico were senior Aaron Johnson, senior Sean Johnson, junior William Bailey and junior Artavious Williams. The jump squad competed in this meet with lots of confidence and the drive to win. Coming home with a place were the Johnson brothers. Sean Johnson competed in two events which were long and triple jump. He placed 11th in the long jump. Bailey competed in the long jump and Williams competed in triple jump, jumping a distance of 14.96m.
After the meet, track team members talked to The Spectrum about their performances.
The Spectrum: I want to know how it feels to know that you made it to nationals again, and how did you feel after your last jump?
Aaron Johnson: It always feels good to make it to nationals. Once you make it one time you feel you have to make it to every national because you know how important it is to yourself personally and also how important it is to get the exposure for the school on the national level. But to go to my last indoor nationals and make All-American for the third time is a blessing, and to share it with the other jumpers and especially my brother Sean made my last indoor nationals a fun and special last trip.
The Spectrum: How did you feel when you made it on board for nationals and what were the thoughts going through your mind when you arrived to New Mexico?
Williams: I felt like I accomplished something, but I knew I had a lot of work to do because I had to make up for the time I missed being ineligible. When I got to New Mexico, I really couldn't describe the feeling but knowing I was competing against the nation's best made me feel good.
The track and field team traveled to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to begin its outdoor season March 16-21.
My experience at BSU has been positive. I have had the opportunity to learn from great professors who are truly interested in seeing me excel.
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