DMR: Accomplished but Not Satisfied

Compiling a distance medley relay requires a different formula than most relays. Its unique makeup of sprinter, middle-distance and distance runners calls for an equation unlike any other to bring together a quartet that rarely, if ever, trains as a group. Then to find the right personalities to bond, sometimes within limited time constraints, can be challenging.

The Oklahoma men's track and field team found the perfect DMR combinations, so far, to meet competitive expectations of one of the Sooners' stronger events. Notably, the foursome of Allen Eke, Trae Armstrong, Jacob Goldberg and Jacob Burcham earned a berth to the NCAA Championships - the first OU quartet to do so since 2013. The same group also holds the program-record time of 9:27.70, a time that ranks as the 12th-best indoor collegiate mark ever.

Adding to its list of 2016 accomplishments, OU's DMR team reclaimed the Big 12 title after finishing second the previous year. The teams had something to prove after they won consecutive conference titles in the event in 2013 and '14. OU tweaked the DMR line-up a bit during the conference meet and substituted freshman Blake Yount in for Armstrong, who had already competed in two events earlier on the first day of conference before the DMR was raced. Even without previous DMR experience, Yount did not disappoint or waiver and was able to share his first Big 12 crown with his teammates.

While the group has much to celebrate, focus on the national championship is still paramount. However, each of the five runners took a brief moment to share his excitement about the accomplishments already achieved and his expectations for the upcoming trip to Birmingham, Ala., for the NCAA Championships on Mar. 11-12.

Allen Eke: The 1,200-Meter Opening Leg, Senior

On winning the Big 12 title twice:

"It's a little different. The first time we won the race, it was our first year all together so it was kind of unexpected. The team chemistry started to build up a little more toward the end of last year. Two years ago, I didn't really see the 400 leg that much in practice or even get to talk to him that much. This year is different, but it was a big accomplishment. Winning Big 12s my sophomore year was pretty cool, but to do it again with a bunch of different guys that's also special and I'm glad I did it with these guys."

On the mindset going into the conference DMR race:

"Honestly, going into the race while we were warming up we treated it almost as a work out. We just went out there, warmed up, went through the process and just ran the race. We didn't treat it like it was a big race or anything. We just knew we needed to go out there and run our hardest. Jacob (Burcham) and I were nonchalant about it and just went through the process. It was like 'just get it done and look forward to celebrating after.' It was pretty simple."

On making it to nationals after just missing it the last two years:

"The past two years we just missed it and it's definitely a great moment to see that we finally did it. We finally got all of the pieces together. The past two years I felt we were maybe weak around one leg and we just couldn't get it down. Finally, in my last year (we make it); it's kind of like a fairytale ending to have finally gotten it done. I'm just thankful we finally got it done. It's the first time for me being on the national field so I want us to just place as high as we can and hope to come out with an All-America honor. That's the ultimate goal is just to go out, do our best, get to stick around and hope to get top eight."

Trae Armstrong: The 400-Meter Second Leg, Junior

On qualifying for the NCAAs and becoming a program-record holder:

"Honestly, it was pretty cool because last year we came up short (of NCAA qualification). This year we knew what our goal revolved around and what we need to run; the year was just about going out there and getting it done. I liked that I was able to do it with most of the distance guys that all missed it together last year; it made it more significant. Going back to the beginning of the season, I felt we were all pretty hungry and ready to just get it done. Being a part of a school record holding relay is something rare and it's even more meaningful because OU has a lot of history and tradition; it is something special to be a part of."

On what he's looking forward to about being on the national field:

"I'm looking forward to the experience, honestly. Going in to NCAA competition, the time doesn't really matter. If we win and don't run a great time, we are still national champions. Being a part of that and having the opportunity to compete for a national title is not something everyone gets to do. Even some of the greatest athletes don't have this chance, so I'm happy about the opportunity to do that."

On how running in the DMR differs from other relays:

"I feel like I don't need to think as much in the DMR. I can just run within myself and really just trust the guys that are around me. With such a long race and the 400 leg that I run, I know I can recover if I mess up and I have a lot of room to be able to move. If you compare that to the 60 meter, if I miss one step I'm pretty much done. There's a lot less pressure, but still you have to run your best."

Jacob Goldberg: The 800-Meter Third Leg (400-Meter Alternate), Junior

On holding the program record:

"It didn't really set in at first. I wasn't really sure initially because there was a little bit of confusion to actually whether or not we had the record. Once we figured out that we did, it took a couple of days to realize how special that was. I didn't necessarily see my role on the team coming up so fast like that, but I knew that I could be a part of the mix this year. To see that come to life and with more to go, it's something I'm pretty happy about. Individually, you have goals for yourself that you want to achieve, but running in a relay is a lot more fun because you get to run with your teammates. The relays are as close to a team environment as you can really get in track and field. Running on a relay helps you run for other people as well as yourself so you get more out of it I think than just achieving individual goals."

On winning the conference title:

"It was really awesome and something we really focused on was this group scoring as many points at conference as we could. Any way that I can help do that is definitely a special thing. Being a conference champion, especially beating Oklahoma State, was one thing that I knew we were trying to focus on so it was a pretty special thing. I've always been just about competing. I think a lot of people in our sport take it too seriously and get caught up in things that don't matter. If there's anything that I do contribute it is to just go out, have fun and keep the guys a little bit more relaxed. That's worked for me."

Blake Yount: The 800-Meter Third Leg (Alternate), Freshman

On winning a Big 12 title as a freshman:

"They just kind of threw me in there; I was not ready for it. They literally said 'you're running this evening' and I said 'alright.' I knew what I had to do and for me just running with a team makes me run a lot better. I didn't want to let the guys down so I just ran as fast as I could. I learned it's not as intimidating as I thought - I can walk in there as a freshman against people I've looked up to in high school and compete against them. You've got to put in the same effort that your teammates are giving and make sure you run your hardest."

On the relay compared to individual events:

"For our relay, it's a team effort obviously so you don't want to be the guy that screws it up for the other three guys that just poured their heart out into the event. With an individual if you mess up it's on you and you don't really affect anyone of your teammates. It's a different aspect. In the relay there's a lot more to think about, but it's a lot more fun."

Jacob Burcham: The 1,600-Meter Anchor Leg, Junior

On the significance of OU making it to nationals:

"We have kind of missed the DMR trip to nationals the past couple of years by just a little bit, but following in the footsteps of cross country we were able to get it done this year. I think it is a big step in the right direction as far as establishing precedence for future teams. What it means for our program is that we are moving forward. The DMR is one of the few opportunities we get to actually race as a team, besides cross country. It feels kind of like cross country where you warm up with a group and go out with a group, so it's nice. I enjoy it. It's nice to have training partners that are chasing the same goals that you are chasing and have similar mindsets."

On OU reclaiming the Big 12 crown:

"It just felt good to win a race honestly. The Big 12 title is kind of a big deal for us, so it was nice to be able to win a race; it was competitive too. It felt good to beat Oklahoma State. Just to be able to beat them and do it for the title was important and shows that we are coming a long way."