Completed Event: Track and Field at Battle on the Bayou on April 3, 2026 ,
Final
Track and Field
at Battle on the Bayou
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Backel Strives for Excellence On and Off the Track
January 31, 2006 | Track and Field
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NORMAN, Okla. -- SoonerSports.com presents this Sooner Spotlight feature on track and field freshman heptathlete Amy Backel. Backel comes to Oklahoma from Dillsburg, Pa., where she holds five school records at Northern (York) High School. Backel is not only one of the Sooners most versatile athletes on the track, but also one of the brightest off it. She and the rest of the Sooners host the sixth annual J.D. Martin Invitational at the Mosier Indoor Track in Norman beginning Friday, Feb. 3, through Saturday, Feb. 4.
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Which events do you participate in?
“I am a heptathlete, which is a seven event competition. It includes throws, jumps, hurtles, and sprints. It is a lot of fun. I enjoy training for it because I get to do something different every day.
“Heptathlons are only in the outdoor season, so in indoor season women do the pentathlon. There are only five events since we don't throw the javelin or run the 200-yard sprint. If there is not a combined event at a certain meet, I will probably do a few regular events -- most likely do the long jump or any event that might need some work."
What brought you to the University of Oklahoma?
“Back in Pennsylvania one of my coaches talked to me about Oklahoma. He told me if I wanted to be a heptathalete, I should look at the University of Oklahoma. I sent in some information and the recruiting process began."
What is your favorite part of being a Sooner?
“I really enjoy training with my teammates. There are only three heptathletes, but we have a lot of fun. We work hard together. I like training here because it is so warm. We got to train outside this year until November. That never happens back in Pennsylvania!”
What are your thoughts on working with assistant coach Jeremy Fischer?
“Coach Fischer coaches the heptathletes and jumpers. I like training with him. His coaching style focuses on working with my techniques. He observed my jumping and throwing techniques and is working with me to improve. He doesn't want to start over with my form, just improve on what I already have.
“I think Coach Fischer's experiences and skills help to bring up our own expectations. He was a world class athlete, which is what I want to be. To get to that level you have to work with someone who has experienced that.”
What is the main characteristic that a heptathlete must have?
“The main thing would be power. You have to be a sprinter and a thrower. You have to have the power to throw the shot and also the speed to race a 200-yard sprint. Power carries over into every event.”
What are your goals for the season?
“Our team goal is to win the Big 12 meet. I would like to contribute to that win. I want to place in the heptathalon and also in an open event. I think I can place in the high jump in the indoor season and in the outdoor season in the javelin.
“I want to help out by placing in the heptathalon. I also think that I can also contribute in some additional events. ”
What is your favorite event?
“During the heptathalon I like the shot put. It's crazy that I like the shot put. I started when I was like 120 pounds. I wanted to be a heptathlete so I focused on making it a strong event for me.
"When I am not in the heptathalon, I like the javelin throw."
What are some of the expectations for this season?
“I think the team has always been focused on being conference champions. When the new coaches came in, they emphasized that we do have the talent to reach that goal. It is not unreachable.
“I think that they expect us to go even further and become a national power each year. The coaches are very encouraging. The team is starting to realize that we are good and we are going to be even better. It's moving from a hope to all the athletes believing in the goal, too.”
What are your academic plans?
“Right now I am in the civil engineering field. I have really enjoyed it so far. Some people are telling me it will be hard, but I think that I can do it. I played a lot of sports in high school, so I know it will be hectic. Things will be busy but I am willing to put in the time for academics and athletics.”
Talk about some of the people that you look up to on the team...
"We have a very young team, so everyone is on a similar leadership level. During training, I warm up with the jumpers, so I have gotten to know them. A few of those girls have had some good experiences so I tend to look up to them.”
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Sooner Spotlight by Emily Milberger
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