|
|
Track athletes juggle studies,
meets
By Greg Doddridge
Staff
Writer
The Purdue track teams are on the road again this
weekend, busy with a multitude of relays and meets.
The Mount Sac Relays will be in Ontario, Calif.,
for the men and in Walnut, Calif., for the women today through Sunday.
There's the Pomona-Pitzer Invite today in California and the Long Beach
State Invite on Saturday for the women. The men also have the Indy Relays
today and Saturday in Indianapolis.
That's a lot of competitions, but the athletes
don't each participate in all of those. Who goes where depends on several
conditions.
"I think it helps the team to go to different meets
and relays in a weekend because the competition is a lot better at an
event like the Mount Sac Relays," said senior Jeff Minks. "And the Indy
Relays give other people a chance to make a step up."
Minks called the Mount Sac Relays the "premier
race this weekend."
Junior Kristin Liphardt said it's good to send
people to different relays to take advantage of the different types
of competition present.
"When we run in open events (like relays), we're
not out to maximize points," said Liphardt. "We're out to maximize our
personal best."
But to get to the good competitions in California,
where it wouldn't be snowing and hurting training, as it was Monday
in West Lafayette, the athletes have to travel during the spring.
"Sometimes you get jet lag," said Minks. "It also
impedes on your studying. You lose sleep to stay up to do homework."
Liphardt said it's hard to rearrange classes being
so close to finals. And the athletes get little, if any, time to view
their travels as a mini-vacation.
"All we see in California is the track and the
airport," said Liphardt. "At night in the hotel, there is not much else
to do, so we might as well study in the hotel."
Minks said it is very tough for him as a student-athlete
to stay on task this time of the year. He has graduation to consider,
he is looking for a job daily, he still has his studies to attend to
plus finals and final projects and, on top of that, track competitions
— on the road, nonetheless.
"It takes a lot of focus," said Minks. "It's very
hard to get motivated with travel and homework."
But his experience over the years, with the all
the pressures, is something he is proud to have.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything," said Minks.
|
Brees
feels a draft
Cooper
anticipates 2001 WNBA draft
Healthy
Douglas hopes to realize dream
Saturday's
spring game to test quarterback, offense
Light,
linemen anticipate getting selected in draft
First-place
Purdue prepares for Illinois series
Track
athletes juggle studies, meets
Boilers
look for next conference victory
Purdue
to play key weekend matchups
Boilers
start road trip with loss
Soccer
team looks to win
SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 251
Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki
Assistant sports
editor:
Anne
McLaren
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
|
