STORY AND VIDEO BY HALEY WHITE
Fourteen FHSU athletes will travel to Charlotte, N.C., to compete in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 24 to 26.
The number of Tigers who qualified for the event has nearly doubled this season, with athletes competing in a variety of events.
“We have athletes in just about every discipline — from the throws to the jumps, sprints and distance,” said FHSU track and field head coach Jason McCullough. “We also have nine All-Americans returning, so we should have a pretty good crew at the national meet.”
Senior mid-distance runner Decano Cronin sits second in the men’s 800-meter run national rankings with a time of 1 minute, 47.98 seconds. Cronin said continuing to discipline himself and staying focused will give him the edge he needs in order to have a successful finish to his athletic career as a Tiger.
“I just need to listen to my coaches every single day in hopes to peak at the national meet and bring back silverware to FHSU,” said Cronin, who won the 800-meter title at last year’s national meet.
Javelin throwers Madison Wolf, a senior, and Alexcia Deutscher, a sophomore, both rank in the top five nationally. Deutscher’s personal best throw of 48.09 meters puts her in the fifth spot of the national rankings. She believes her workouts from the fall through the regular season have prepared her for the season finale.
“I spend a lot of my time working with Coach Maheras on my footwork,” said Deutscher, who finished 10th at nationals in the event as a freshman. “Footwork and power are the most important thing in order to prepare for a javelin throw.”
Meanwhile, Wolf secured the top seed with a throw of 50.98 meters. She has held the No. 1 national ranking throughout the spring season. She said in order to prepare for the championships, it is important to ensure her body is well-rested.
“To prep for nationals, I’m taking it easy right now so I peak at that last meet,” she said.
The schedule for the rest of FHSU’s 2018 national qualifiers can be found below:
Thursday, May 24
12 pm- Women’s pole vault finals: Selam Ball
5:10 pm –Men’s 1,500-meter prelims: Brett Meyer
5:55 pm- Women’s 400-meter prelims: Kelly Wycoff
6:10 pm- Women’s 100-meter prelims: Amber Forbes
Friday, May 25
3:30 pm- Men’s high jump finals: Lucas Broxterman & Colt Newell
4 pm- Men’s discus finals: TJ Dozier
5:35 pm- Men’s 200-meter prelims: Malcolm Gardner
6:20 pm- Women’s 200-meter prelims: Amber Forbes & Kelly Wycoff
6:05 pm- Men’s 800-meter prelims Decano Cronin
Saturday, May 26
12:30 pm- Men’s pole vault: Jake Morrow & Sam Dreiling
1:15 pm- Women’s javelin throw: Madison Wolf & Alexcia Deutscher
3:45 pm- Men’s 1,500-meter final: Brett Meyer
4 pm- Women’s discus: Courtney Geiger
4:35 pm- Women’s 400-meter final: Kelly Wycoff
4:55 pm- Women’s 100-meter final: Amber Forbes
5:05 pm- Men’s 800-meter final: Decano Cronin
5:50 pm-Men’s 200-meter final Malcolm Gardner
6 pm- Women’s 200-meter final: Kelly Wycoff & Amber Forbes