CHARLOTTE, N.C. – “I know how strong I am and that I have the wheels to throw it down at the end of the race that others are going to be hard-pressed to find.” With that, you are introduced to Michael Wickman, the seemingly soft-spoken centerpiece of the Chico State men’s track team.
It usually takes a while to uncover the stone-cold competitor that lurks in Michael Wickman’s soul. However, because this is a preview of the 2010 NCAA Division II Track & Field Championships taking place at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., this Thursday through Saturday, and because Wickman has made it his goal to win not just one, but two national titles, it seemed appropriate to cut to the chase and give you, the reader, a glimpse into how he has convinced so many that his quest is not so far-fetched after all. He believes he can do it. And by the time you finish reading this, you just might believe as well.
But let’s go back to the beginning.
Wickman first stepped foot on Chico State’s campus as a slight, quiet young freshman in 2006. Nothing about him shouted “Four-Time All-American,” as he is today. In fact, nothing really stood out at all to the average passerby, except for the possible exception of his thick, round head of dirty-blond hair and the chin dimple that undoubtedly had the girls who are known to do such things giggling in the back of the class.
Nothing much stood out, that is, until he stepped on the track and cross-country trails. One of Chico State Distance Coach Gary Towne’s recruiting gems, Wickman began turning heads right away with his blinding speed and cold-blooded competitiveness, and perhaps most of all, the deadly kick he possessed at the end of his races. He employed those traits to earn California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Freshman of the Year honors and a berth in the NCAA Championships in the 1,500 meters where he finished a tenth of a second shy of a spot in the finals. None of his competitors were giggling at the thought of four full years of Wickman.
And Towne was not joking when he began to discuss national title hopes with his young gun.
“It was clear from day one with Michael that he was a gifted athlete and we’ve kind of groomed him for opportunities like this from the beginning,” explained Towne. “As strange as it may sound to people who aren’t familiar with just how talented Michael is, if you rewound some of our conversations during his freshman and sophomore year, they would point to putting him in a position to do something as special as he’s going to attempt this weekend.”
Wickman went on to capture seventh place in the 1,500 at the 2007 National Championships at the same track he will run on this weekend, and earned his second All-America award with his 32nd-place finish at the 2008 National Cross Country Championships. Then, in his first real go at a national title at last year’s NCAA Track & Field Championships, Wickman finished third in both the 800 and 1,500 – one of the strongest individual efforts in Chico State track history. He even went on to run at the USA Track & Field National Championships last summer.
Then last Saturday, Wickman did something at University Stadium that he rarely has since his arrival here nearly five years ago – he walked – crossing the stage to take hold of his degree in exercise physiology with minors in nutrition and coaching. It’s a safe bet that many of his peers who walked with him would be surprised to know that their quiet classmate had made so much noise as a budding star on the University’s track that circled the stage.
All of those amazing feet’s have led Wickman’s feat to where they are now – firmly planted back in Charlotte, where he will attempt to close out his already illustrious career with a mind-boggling run at dual national titles.
“It’s a mixture of being sad to know that my career here is coming to an end and excitement about this meet,” said Wickman. “It’s my last opportunity to go for a national title and my last opportunity to run as a Wildcat. I’m definitely going into it very confident and ready to have fun and run fast.
“My goal is to go after both the 800 and 1,500 titles. I think I’m capable of achieving both of those goals. I know that I’m as fierce as anyone else in those competitions. The other competitors are really going to have to fight me for it if they want it.”
Wickman’s bold quest will begin in the 1,500-meter prelims Thursday at 2:55 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time. He’ll run the 800-meter prelims a little more than 24 hours later, at 3:55 p.m., PDT. In the 1,500, the top four runners from each of two heats and the next best four times will advance to the final. In the 800, the top two runners from each of three heats and the next best two times will advance to the final.
If he moves on to both finals, Wickman will battle for the NCAA 1,500-meter Championship Saturday at 3:15, PDT, and then hop right back on the track for the 800-meter National Championships at 4:46.
Two national titles in two hours… can it be done? Let’s reintroduce you to the one who will attempt it. Then you can decide on your own.
“Physically it is very demanding, but I know I have five years of great training behind me. Five years of working really hard and putting in lots of miles so that I am capable of competing in my best in both races,” said Wickman. “The 1,500 is about wearing people out, seeing who has the most strength and then the most speed at the end. The 800 is basically a long sprint, but if you don’t run it perfectly, you run the risk of getting caught in the final 100 meters.”
“I have a pretty good understanding of who my competition is and I know that both races are going to be full of people similar to me in terms of talent. Even knowing that, though, I know how strong I am and I know that I do have the wheels to throw it down at the end of the race that others are going to be hard-pressed to find.”
Throw it down Michael. We say a second time: throw it down!
Following is a brief synopsis of the other 12 Wildcats who will be competing at the National Championships this weekend, including event times and a coaches’ quote. All times listed reflect Pacific Daylight Time.
Jake Nelson, Talor Fulfer and J. Patrick Smith – Decathlon
Thursday’s events - 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400-meter dash
Friday’s events - 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500 meters
Nelson, a senior who sustained a hamstring injury in the second event at last year’s National Championships, has the fourth best score in the field entering the competition and is looking for some redemption. Fulfer is a junior college transfer seeded sixth, and Smith, seeded ninth, is the first true freshman to qualify for the decathlon at the NCAA Championships in Chico State history.
Coach Oliver Hanf’s thoughts: “There’s a sense of pride in the pack rather than just one wolf going. There’s been talk about the three of them getting on the podium together (a top-eight finish) which would be absolutely amazing.”
Kelly Clancey – Heptathlon
Thursday’s events - 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200-meter dash
Friday’s events - Long jump, javelin, and 800 meters
Clancey, who earned a spot in the National Championships as a sophomore last season, was very much on the bubble to earn a return trip with the 18th best score in the nation in an event in which 16 athletes receive bids. But two athletes ahead of her did not declare for the heptathlon, opening the door for her to return.
Coach Oliver Hanf’s thoughts: “Kelly feels blessed to be in this position. She believes good things are going to happen. She wants to score 5,000 and break the school record and set the tone for next year when she’s a senior and a lot of the other athletes in this field, which is the deepest it’s ever been, have graduated. She feels like competing with them will bring out the best in her and help push her to reach her goals.”
Kara Lubieniecki – 1,500 meters
Preliminaries: Thursday at 2:40 p.m.
Final: Saturday at 3:05 p.m.
Lubieniecki, who competed in the 5,000 meters at the 2009 National Championships and failed to move past the preliminary round, returns to take another shot at advancing to the finals where a top-eight finish would land her an All-America honor. She enters the race with the ninth-best time in the field.
Coach Gary Towne’s thoughts: “Hopefully we can get her in that final. I like Kara’s chances of doing well because she’s a good natural racer. She’s won almost every race she’s been in this year. She has a really good knack for competing and good closing speed – both important parts of championship racing. There are a lot of victims out there from Kara’s kicks and she’s hoping to add a few more this weekend.”
Beau Rogers – 3,000-meter steeplechase
Preliminaries: Thursday at 4:40 p.m.
Finals: Saturday at 2:25 p.m.
Rogers brought home All-America honors with his fifth-place showing in the steeplechase last year and will try to improve on that showing in a loaded field. He enters the race with sixth best time this year.
Coach Gary Towne’s thoughts: "This is the best steeplechase field Division II has ever had. It’s a race that would be really tough to win, but Beau can compete with anyone in the field on a given day if he’s really firing well out there. Maintaining his composure out there is the key. If he can stay in control of what he’s doing out there he should do very well.”
Tori Tyler – 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters
10,000-meter Final: Thursday at 5:40 p.m.
5,000-meter Preliminaries: Friday at 4:50 p.m.
5,000-meter Finals: Saturday at 5:43 p.m.
Fourth in the 10,000 meters last season, Tyler is out for two All-America honors this time around. She boasts the third best 5,000-meter time in the field and sixth-best 10,000-meter effort.
Coach Gary Towne’s thoughts: “When you’re doing a 10/5 double you have to focus on the 10K first. It’s her better race probably on paper but this year’s field is absolutely phenomenal with two of the seven fastest Division II runners ever. Thankfully Tori’s in a much better place as well. We’re hopeful she can put together a good, smart race and maybe beat some of the women who are ranked ahead of her on paper. I think she’ll be able to bounce back pretty well for the 5K and has the ability to be a major factor in that race as well.”
Jimmy Elam – 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters
10,000-meter Final: Thursday at 6:20 p.m.
5,000-meter Preliminaries: Friday at 5:35 p.m.
5,000-meter Finals: Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s CCAA Cross Country Runner of the Year, Elam is hoping to leave a lasting impression on the track as well. He finished ninth in the 10,000 meters at last year’s National Championships, just a spot off the podium and All-America honors. He boasts the fifth-best time in the 10,000 meters and 12th-best time in the 5,000 meters.
Coach Gary Towne’s thoughts: “The 10K is his main event and that’s what his focus is. But this is the best year ever for the men’s 10K. Jimmy is ranked fifth on paper, but the guys right behind him have dropped some really quick 5Ks this year. For Jimmy, getting his first All-America certificate on the track will be a big task and would be a great accomplishment. With that said, his training has been really strong heading into this thing. A year ago he was just kind of hanging in there and took ninth, but he’s in a much better place this year going into it. He’s going to come back in the 5K and do his best to get into the final. If you can get in the final then you just have to beat four people to be an All-American. He’s a good strength runner and that bodes well for him.”
Katrina Rodriguez – Pole Vault
Finals: Friday at 2:05 p.m.
Rodriguez enters her final competition with the sixth-best mark in the field and All-America honors and a Chico State record on her mind.
Coach Oliver Hanf’s thoughts: “The hurricane has her mind set on breaking the school record, which could also be what it takes to win the National Championship. She’s been above school-record height in her last two meets; it’s just a matter of timing it right when the spotlight’s on. This is a wide open field so anything is possible.”
Ryan Bertucci – High Jump
Finals: Friday at 2:10 p.m.
One of Chico State’s seasoned veterans, Bertucci finished fourth at last year’s National Championships following his 10th-place effort as a sophomore. He will also have a school record in his sights this weekend. He boasts the sixth-best leap in the field this year.
Coach Oliver Hanf’s thoughts: “There were two goals really eluding Ryan heading into his senior year – clear seven feet and win the conference meet. So when he did both two weeks ago we had to re-set our thinking. Obviously he wants to get on the podium and finish higher than he did last year. But he’s also set his sights on the school record of 7-feet-2 (set by Imad Jamal in 1984).”
Brent Handa – 5,000 meters
5,000-meter Preliminaries: Friday at 5:35 p.m.
5,000-meter Finals: Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Handa has the 16th-best time in the 16-runner field, but he’s looking to surprise some people as he did by finishing fourth at the West Region Cross Country Championships.
Coach Gary Towne’s thoughts: “Brent’s got nothing to lose and he has a couple things going for him: he’s going to be running against a lot of guys doubling back from the 10K and he’s someone who really raises his game when he competition is good. At the very least, it will be really good for him to take it in and get a sense of what it’s all about for the future. Hopefully we can get him in the final and we’ll see from there.”
Julianne Conrad – High jump
Finals: Saturday at 2:35 p.m.
Conrad is coming off a tie with defending NCAA High Jump Champion Linda Rainwater at the CCAA Championships and feeling good. She has the 13th-highest leap by a competitor in the field.
Coach Oliver Hanf’s thoughts: “This has been a breakthrough season for Julianne and her confidence is sky high. There are only centimeters separating everyone in the field. What can make the difference between an All-American or not is making the height on the first attempt, which breaks the tie. It’s a real and emotional edge. You can put pressure on your opponents. So she’s hoping to go out and clear the opening height on her first attempt to set the tone and put pressure on the rest of the field.”
Please keep an eye out for updates as the meet progresses at www.chicowildcats.com.
