The practices are over. The qualifying marks are in. The only thing left to do is compete.
Seven members of the ASU track and field team have earned that final right to compete at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships at Gillman Indoor Track Stadium in College Station, Texas, on Friday and Saturday.
“It’s all about getting there and competing,” redshirt senior sprinter Jasmine Chaney said.
Chaney is one of six Sun Devils that will be competing in their first Indoor Championships. Sophomore Christabel Nettey competed last season.
“Last year we only had two people go. It’s just nice to experience it with a whole team in different aspects,” Chaney said. “It’s not like we’re going by ourselves to represent Arizona State track and field. We’re going as a team.”
The individual team is comprised of Chaney in the women’s 200-meter dash, Nettey in the women’s long jump, and redshirt sophomore Jordan Clarke and redshirt freshman Anna Jelmini in the men’s and women’s shot put, respectively. Chaney will also be joined by her relay teammates, freshman Sarah Green, sophomore Keia Pinnick and junior Kayla Sanchez, in the women’s 4x400 meter race.
The Sun Devils’ best chances at a title will come in the women’s sprints, and specifically with Chaney in the 200-meter.
“Jasmine has a chance to win it,” women’s sprint coach Kenny McDaniel said. “If she’s in it at the 150-meter mark, she could win it.”
Chaney sees the same scenario.
“I’m a good finisher,” Chaney said. “I have speed, I have strength, and I can utilize that. That’s the goal in the 200. Be with them for the first 150 then just run.”
Chaney will take that same mindset with her and her teammates into the 4x400 meter.
“In the 4x400, it’s the same, just staying in the race,” Chaney said. “I know my girls and I can do that.”
McDaniel has his expectations for the relay.
“The relay is funny because you never know. Someone could get disqualified or bobble a hand-off,” McDaniel said. “But I really believe we can finish in the top three.”
McDaniel also sees promise for his team because of the venue and competition.
“Texas A&M’s relay team is way out there,” McDaniel said, “but when we went to A&M earlier in the year, we won. So we don’t know anything different at that venue, except being ahead.”
No matter what the outcome is, the fact that these athletes have made it to the championships is a reward in itself.
“It’s a great experience. Really exciting, lots of fans, tons of adrenaline,” Clarke said. “I look back at August and how many months I’ve put in. It’s almost a kind of big payday.”
The Sun Devils hope for the material payday this weekend.
The meet will be broadcast live on NCAA.com and ESPN3.com with a replay on ESPN2 on March 16.
Reach the reporter at zcavanag@asu.edu
