Winchester Prepared for Double Duty

NORMAN, Okla. For many, the 37th John Jacobs Invitational will be just another track meet as it rolls on Saturday afternoon. For Carolyn Winchester, it will be the first opportunity to expand on a dream coming true.

Winchester, the daughter of former Sooner football punter Mike Winchester (1984-86), makes the transition to track and field this week. The Washington, Okla., native joined the spring squad unexpectedly after the conclusion of the women's basketball season.

“When basketball was over,” Winchester said, “the weather started to get warm and it just felt like track (season) and I told my dad what I felt and I asked him if he thought I should try it. He knew it would be tough, but believed I could handle it. So, I talked to Coach (Sherri) Coale next and she said to go for it. That day I came out and met Coach Napes (OU assistant track and field coach Mark Napier) who said to come out the next day and try to throw and see how it goes. It's just unfolded from there.”

John Jacobs Invitational | Winchester's Profile

Winchester isn't concerned about the transition, believing that past experience and strong self-motivation will help her succeed in both sports.

“This was the first week that I've done both basketball and track. We started back with basketball Monday and, I don't know, my body's feeling it. I get so excited before I do both, so it doesn't really matter how sore I am.

“It feels natural to do it just because I did it all through high school. I think if I wasn't doing both now, it would feel less natural because I've always gone straight from basketball to track. I've always played basketball during track. I've always gone to the gym and shot baskets. This is just at a different level.”

One cause for concern, though, will be stepping out as an individual in her first collegiate track and field competition.

“I'm nervous about Saturday. I'm excited though, too. All my basketball teammates are coming which puts a little more pressure on me. In basketball, I never really had the pressure of having to get out and play a lot. When I played, the game was wrapped up and it was just to go have fun and be a part of the team. Here, I'm stepping out on my own and I'm nervous. It's kind of a big first step.”

Winchester is no stranger to excellence in the sport, having won two high school state titles as a shotputter and one throwing the discus.

“This year my goal is to qualify for the regional. Whether or not it happens, it's what I'm aiming for. I don't really know what I'm capable of. Coach Napes has talked to me somewhat about potential and things, but I really don't know what good is yet. I'm still learning it all.

“I just want to push myself. I want to get everything out of myself I can throughout college. I don't want to look back and wonder about what if I had tried this or that.”

Like many successful college athletes, Winchester had a knack for the sport early and continued thriving through high school.

“In junior high, probably sixth grade, everybody tried out for every event. I was just good at it. It started as just wanting to go to track meets to get out of school. Then, I started winning everywhere I went. And I like to win; I'm very competitive. That's mainly why I stuck with it in junior high and the first couple years of high school.

“When I started to realize there was more than just standing up there and throwing, even though I didn't know what that was, I started getting more and more interested in it. That's why being here with Coach Napes and learning there is more technique to it I just eat it up. The more I learn, the more I want to do it perfectly.”

Being a Sooner is a dream many have. Being a two-sport student-athlete is shared among only the very special. Winchester fills the role nicely.

“I was born a Sooner. I've grown up coming to women's basketball games and coming to football games. Ever since junior high, I've been going to Coach Coale's camps in the summers. I have a great respect for the coaches and for the program. When it came down to it, I really couldn't picture myself anywhere else.”

Neither could the Sooner Nation.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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