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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sentimental Seniors Ready for Big 12 Meet
May 15, 2015 | Track and Field
For six University of Oklahoma student-athletes, the 2015 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championship has brought out big emotions. For this group, the next three days mark the final Big 12 competition of their collegiate careers.
Their diligent preparation leading up to a weekend of intense competition has also been a time of reflection for the upperclassmen. For sprinter, Erin Jones, the Big 12 Championship is an opportunity to soar. At the 2013 outdoor championship, as a junior season, Jones recorded a PR with a time of 11.42, good enough for a third-place finish. She says that moment has set the stage for her final performance at this year's meet.
“It was such a big PR I couldn't believe it,” Jones said. “My first Big 12 experience was good. I think I'm going to tear up when I walk off the track this weekend.”
Like Jones, distance runner Alex Deir has fond memories of the Big 12 after transferring from Iowa Central College.
“The Big 12 just seems like it's on another level and it's a lot of fun to be a part of,” Deir said. “It's been a long and fun last two years. I'm just ready to go out there and score as many points for the team as I can.”
For Deir, his first performance at last year's Big 12 proved to be a catalyst through the postseason and led him to the NCAA Championships and second-team All-America honors in the steeplechase. Deir finished fourth in the 1,500-meter run at the 2014 conference championship. He says that mark propelled him to set a PR in the 3000-meter steeplechase during the NCAA West Prelims.
“That was a moment I'll definitely never forget,” Deir said. “Not only to have qualified for nationals myself in the prelims after conference, but to have my teammate Brandon Doughty qualify in the race right after me. That was really a memorable moment.”
Malcolm Wankel, who hails from a small area in Wisconsin, recalled being a little unsettled during his first time at the conference championship, a feeling that has since dissipated.
“It was exciting coming from a smaller town and not having been in a championship as big as Big 12, but it was definitely overwhelming being that young,” the middle distance runner explained. “But now, since I have more experience, I'm not as overwhelmed.”
Wankel is poised to score at his final conference championship appearance after running on the title-winning distance medley relay during the 2013 indoor championship. He has been a scorer in three conference indoor championships, but knows that he can make a statement this weekend. He attributes his growing confidence to the bond and support from his teammates.
“We've grown more into a family. I'm going to miss the workouts and just struggling through 15 miles with my boys,” Wankel added. “Considering it's my last one, it'll be a little sad.”
The first shall be the last applies in the case of distance runner Hunter Heaton, but that has nothing to do with placement. Heaton joined OU's track and field squad this season after he left college and ran unattached for two years before becoming a Sooner. To qualify for his first and only Big 12 championship was monumental, especially after not qualifying during the indoor season.
“Just running there is a big accomplishment, but I'm not trying to really think about it,” Heaton said. “I was even getting emotional because I guess I'm not even really supposed to be here (at OU).
“The struggle to get here was enormous,” he said of his journey to OU and then the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. “I made it and so it's just an awesome opportunity. I'm going in with really high expectations and I have nothing to lose.”
The Big 12 represents more of a spiritual journey for thrower Alex Morgan, who was recently baptized with teammate Julia Reedy. She was a scorer in the discus throw during her sophomore year at the Big 12, but fell short during her junior year. Morgan plans to open her final postseason competition with a strengthened faith and belief she will be on the podium again at the conference championship.
“I was a Christian before, but I'm definitely now a lot closer to God. I think that was one of the main reasons why I was brought to Oklahoma, to grow in my faith,” Morgan said.
“It definitely has helped me approach throwing differently,” she added. “I want to glorify God and He's blessed all of us with skills. I think that we'll all show that this weekend.”
The senior with the longest geographical journey, Abbabiya Simbassa, who hails from Ethiopia, looks to cap his fourth appearance at a Big 12 championship on top of the stage as well.
“It's my last year. I want to be a leader for my team and give everything I have,” Simbassa who was a scorer in the past two indoor conference championships. “It's a lot of emotion because it's hard to leave this kind of program and team. It's going to be tough for me.”
Simbassa transferred to OU prior to the 2013-14 season from Iowa Central Community College. He placed third in the 5,000-meter run at the 2014 and 2015 indoor conference championships and scored in the indoor mile and indoor 3,000-meter event as well. He dropped out of the 10,000-meter run at last season's outdoor championship due to injury, but wants his final appearance this season to define his legacy.
“This year I am stronger and ready to go,” Simbassa said. “I want someone to say 'I want to be like that guy, he's a hard worker.' I want somebody to learn from me and maybe use it for next year.”
Sooners head coach Jim VanHootegem has been more than pleased at the contributions and guidance of the senior group.
“It's a special group for us and we'll certainly miss them. We don't want to get rid of them just yet,” said VanHootegem, completing his second season. “I'm sure they don't need anyone else telling them they're not going to get this moment back again.
“You hope they have that since of urgency to do well at their final championship,” he added, “That, plus the confidence that they're seasoned veterans.”
While the seniors are focused on mounting the winners' podium, as they step onto the track, into the blocks, or inside the throwing circle, they will definitely pause for a moment. It is then that they will realize how far they have come. A path that started years ago for these seniors will propel them into a memorable finish as they shout “Boomer Sooner” for final time on the Big 12 stage.
By: Akilah Laster, Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant
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