Taylor track and field athletes headed to Azusa, California to compete in the Bryan Clay Invitational on Apr. 12.
The Bryan Clay Invitational is named after a decathlete who was decorated with a 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medal. His legacy inspires athletes to push past the pain and work towards obtaining victories.
Seniors Nate Conkel and Ahna VanderWall traveled across the country to compete with some of America’s top athletes from both the NCAA and NAIA.
“I am racing at the same meet where some people are hitting Olympic standards and it’s just like this surreal feeling of “do I really belong here?” and then you go out and compete just as well,” Conkel said.
There is a big leap between competitions within the NAIA and NCAA meets. Conkel observed that talent runs deeper in the NCAA and is sparser within NAIA.
“One of the most memorable things from this trip was watching the Friday night invite 5ks. My teammates and I had the opportunity to stand on the bleachers in front of the finish line. There were several professional women that I admire and have followed during their career, and it was so cool to watch them bring racing to a whole new level,” VanderWall said.
Track and field head coach Derek Gay and distance coach, Coach White, sent their athletes west to inspire them to push past their limits and break through barriers that can only be destroyed by facing tougher competition.
The 800-meter race was Conkel’s focus at the event. He finished with a mark of 1:52.50 which hit a National B Standard qualification.
Sitting on the ground while recovering from the race, Conkel knew that day was what the NAIA Nationals would be like, that is how he should compete. And through it all, his focus is to remain on giving God the glory.
VanderWall ran the 3,000-meter steeplechase and finished with a time of 10:43.83. She has already secured her spot in Nationals with an A Standard qualifying mark.
Nothing held VanderWall back from giving everything. This competition was another way to get ready for Nationals at the end of the season.
“One lesson I have learned from the Bryan Clay meet and from this season is to relax and have fun no matter how big the meet might be," VanderWall said. “No matter the race, or really anything you do in life, we always have a choice to have a good mindset. As we prepare for nationals coming up, I want to keep my mindset focused on worshiping God as I run. Each race is a gift and I don't want to take any of them for granted as we approach the end of the season.”
Both seniors recognize that, in the end, their job is to bring God glory no matter how they perform. Coach White tells his athletes to practice like you race and race like you practice, which is something that both Conkel and Vanderwall have executed and kept close to heart.
The Bryan Clay Invitational is a platform of excellence in the world of track and field. VanderWall and Conkel seized their opportunity to make their mark amongst the best of the best.
