Colorado State University Athletics
DeLoach, Ugochukwu represent CSU at Pan Am Games
7/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Outdoor Track & Field
July 18, 2007
Janay DeLoach is temporarily exchanging her customary green and gold uniform for red, white and blue.
Colorado State's two-time All-American left yesterday for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she'll compete in the preliminary round of the long jump at the XV Pan American Games.
Tim Cawley, her position coach at CSU, is optimistic but doesn't know what to expect.
"I'm not sure what the competition will look like," Cawley said. "Sure, she has a chance to win it, but it could be incredibly competitive as jumpers try to make the finals."
To make those finals, DeLoach will have to qualify against international competition at the preliminary round, Monday afternoon. Anywhere from 12-18 jumpers are expected to make it to Wednesday, when athletes again will face a preliminary round to qualify for the finals. Each athlete gets three jumps. Cawley said DeLoach's chances are good if she can hit her personal best.
"If she can jump at or around her PR, I think she'll be in the mix," Cawley said.
DeLoach, who enters her senior campaign with the Rams, earned her ticket to Brazil after placing second at the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships last month in Indianapolis.
"We have our fingers crossed that she'll jump on Wednesday," Cawley said. "Anytime you put on USA uniform, it's nice. International competition helps. The more experience you get, the better you become in preparations for big meets. You learn how to compete at big meets anytime you have experience internationally. This will really help her set high goals for the upcoming season."
DeLoach isn't the only current CSU student-athlete with a taste of international competition. Earlier this month, Jennifer Ugochukwu competed at the Junior Pan Am Games in São Paulo, Brazil and placed second in the women's shot put with her heave of 14.52m/47-7.75.
For more information, visit USA Track & Field's official Web site: USATF.org