June 10, 2005

Triple-jumper Marc Kellman gives his thoughts on Friday's preliminaries and Saturday's final at the 2005 NCAA Division I Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Sacramento State University.

From Marc Kellman: In his own words

Today (Friday) was a very long day. After breakfast and school work, I relaxed for a little while trying to get my mind right for the competition. I went over to the track at 2 pm feeling confident, but knowing my task would not be an easy one.

The competition started at 5 pm. My flight was loaded with all-Americans and National champions. I started off the competition with a decent mark - just something to get me on the right track.

With two jumps left to go I knew I had to get a big one in. After a terrible second attempt I had a lot of thinking to do before my last jump. I kept telling myself I can't go out like last year and that I had to get a big jump or else it would be an early departure back to Virginia. My last jump was fair and I knew it was a decent jump.

When the announcer said that I was sitting in 10th place I started to worry. It was the longest 15 minutes of my life. I had to sit back and watch other jumpers attempt to pass me and make the finals. I ended up in 12th place making the last spot for the finals.

Today was defiantly a rough day at the track. Tomorrow I will be sure to be more aggressive on my first two attempts. The field is down to the best 12 triple jumpers in the country and becoming an all-American will not be easy, but I am up for the task.