RamWire: Sprinters Expect Banner Performance
Depth on women's roster should prove beneficial
Mike Brohad
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The question at the moment was, “Where’s Briyana?”
Time wasn’t an issue, as nobody was in a rush. That in itself seems unusual, considering it’s a group of sprinters talking amongst themselves. The report comes in, Briyana Bunson is on her way, actually running to get to the Morris Fieldhouse for her workout.
Soon enough, they’ll all come together.
Then the ‘Awwwweee’ moment – such as when one sees a cute puppy video on social media – hits the patient quartet.
“Hey, the 4x4 relay is all here,” gushes Michelle Gould, and the others help stretch out the one syllable a bit further in perfect harmony. “So we don’t need Briyana.”
It’s a joke. Colorado State’s women’s indoor track team needs Bunson. The Rams are also really glad Gould is correct about the 4x400-meter relay team returning intact for the upcoming season, because repeating as Mountain West champions won’t be easy, but the core of sprinters the Rams have in studio leave the door wide open for an encore performance.
“I think our talent level is high there. We’ve put some resources into that area, so the expectation is every group helps us, but if they get anywhere close to how they helped us last year – which I thought they had a historical year for us – we’d be thrilled about that,” CSU head coach Brian Bedard said. “The expectations are high, but I don’t think our staff’s expectations are any different than the athletes. We have some competitors there who want to win, know how to win, know how important it is that each event group does its part for the team.”
“I feel like with the team we’re bringing into this season, we’re really shooting for first. We can definitely do it. We have conference champions coming in. I think this is where we can score pretty big points for the team.”Jessica Ozoude, CSU track athlete
It’s not just the top end speed, for which the Rams possess. Jessica Ozoude returns as the Mountain West champion in the 200 meters. Lauren Gale returns to defend her title in the 400.
Yet, it is the depth of the group, which brings additional intrigue and adds up to the 4x4 relay, which finished third at the conference championships in a school-record time of 3:40.55. One of them will factor into the medley relay, which Michelle Gould taking the 400 leg last season.
“I feel like with the team we’re bringing into this season, we’re really shooting for first. We can definitely do it,” Ozoude said. “We have conference champions coming in. I think this is where we can score pretty big points for the team.”
The points at the top help, but so too do the ones which can filter in down below. The ability to stack an event can have a major impact on the final tally, and group coach J. J. Riese sees potential as the CSU women chase a fourth indoor team title in the past five years.
The word can be dangerous oftentimes when discussing athletes, yet not so much in this case. He’s dealing with a relatively young group, but one which is rather distinguished. The proof is listed in the program’s list of the top 20 times of each event, where you’ll find many of his returning sprinters.
“It’s not crazy to say we could have four girls in the final of the 400,” he said. “That’s not insane.”
Even sprinkle in a few in the 200, or expect points to come in the 60 or the hurdles.
While coaches do like their athletes to be focused on the here and now, the ability to see future goals and try to achieve them are beneficial for all involved. Ozoude comes to practice hoping to get a crack at making the Nigerian Olympic team, and Gale is shooting for a spot in her home country of Canada after a successful summer of international competition.
Looking ahead has them tracking daily improvements.
“Every practice is like that,” said Gale, a sophomore. “Finish this rep, you’re going to go to Trials. Finish this rep, you’re going to win conference. Finish this rep, do everything.”
As they run the track inside the Morris Fieldhouse, Riese will pop out tips and encouragement, the subtle things a coach can see, at least one with a working knowledge of his athletes.
What he sees helps, and near the top of positive outlooks is a continuation in training under him, back for his second season. They now have more of a feel for his teachings and philosophies, and that alone, they’ll tell you, is reason for excitement and an expectation to see times drop.
“I think we’re a lot more prepared,” Chesson said. “We have a year of JJs training now, so we’re more prepared. We know what we’re up against, but we have a lot of talent on this team. Especially during practice and tempo. We have a really good training group. We’re always together.”
That tidbit is also key.
In the process of discussing the season outlook, it comes back to the daily routine. They talk about how tall they run, or getting their hips through. These are things they see and experience at practice, and no matter the topic, one of them is better than their teammates.
The ability to share strengths and accept constructive criticism makes each one of them a valuable resource as an instructor and training partner for another.
“Usually between each group, there’s always somebody that’s stronger at something than you are, and somebody who is weaker,” Bunson said. “You’re able to observe and learn with the athletes and the coaches. When learning from the athletes, I think it’s easier, because they’re going through the same thing you’re going through, and you can help each other and use that in a way sometimes the coaches don’t understand.”
What they all understand is results, and they’re all after them. In the act of helping, they also inspire. When one has a good race, the other want to do better. On and on it goes.
It creates a competitive atmosphere at practice, with a one-upmanship theme in the form of team goals.
They all know where they stand as the season approaches. You’ll find Ozoude’s name among the 60-meter school leaders, along with Bunson and Chesson. Ozoude stands atop the 200 list, with Gale and Chesson both in the top 16. Gale sits second in the 400, but Chesson, Ozoude and Gould all find a place in line.
At the end of the day, climbing the board is a goal they all have, and not a single one of them wants to scroll too far.
The same goal extends to the conference championships, a place where the Rams have grown accustomed to seeing the top line and stopping.
They all fully comprehend what’s at stake.
“It’s not necessarily expected of us, but what we look forward to doing is breaking records and also winning conference championships, then going on to NCAAs, then outdoors, looking forward to regionals and nationals,” Gould said. “It’s something we get excited about, not anxious about. Every one of us wants to break school records and reset our records we’ve set in previous years.
“We are a lot stronger, and we just brought in more talent to add to what we already had.”
It’s not just the coaches, but the athletes themselves who wonder just how high is their ceiling. For the Rams, it’s not just a metaphorical question, it’s physical. All they have to do is look up from the track, where all the banners hang.
They can see them. They also see there is room for more to hang down from the rafters.
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