Dec. 13, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - Roanoke, Va. native Ryan McCoy enters his final season at George Mason when the 2008 indoor track and field season begins for the Patriots on Jan. 5 at the Father Diamond Invitational at the Fieldhouse. A two-time All-American, McCoy ranks fifth all-time at Mason in the triple jump with a mark of 52 ft. 5 ½ in. heading into his senior year. GoMason.com recently caught up with McCoy as he prepares for his final season.

Question: What are your personal goals for your final season at George Mason?
McCoy: In my final season at Mason I hope to win the triple jump at the NCAA Championships and qualify for the Olympic trials.

Question: Looking back over your collegiate career so far, what is your most memorable achievement?
McCoy: My most memorable moment would be when our team won the IC4A Championship (during the 2006 outdoor track and field season, McCoy was part of the George Mason team that won the title at the IC4A Championships, scoring 59 points as a unit).

Question: Considering George Mason's rich history in track and field, how did it feel to contribute a championship performance as a team at a major meet to leave your mark as one of the program's top teams?
McCoy: It's funny because we didn't know we had a chance to win the competition until it was almost over. Going into the meet we were motivated as a team; everybody put forth their best efforts and that was enough to bring home a championship. It felt great to be able to contribute an achievement such as this to Mason's history books.

Question: You have jumped at major meets and achieved great success throughout your career at Mason. How does the high level of competition at these meets help bring out the best in you?
McCoy: Every time I step into a competition I tend to put it all on the table no matter what type of track meet it is. But when an elite track meet is coming up, I prepare for it differently, making sure I'm ready physically and mentally to compete at an elite level.

Question: Your father, Daryl, Sr., and brother, Daryl, Jr., both competed in collegiate track and field. What events did they compete in during their collegiate careers?
McCoy: My father and brother were both known for being good long jumpers, but not me. I just so happened to be the odd ball and pursue a career in the triple jump.

Question: Did their involvement with track and field in any way influence you to get involved in the sport?
McCoy: Their involvement in track and field had a direct influence on my decision to pursue a career in the sport. It was almost as if people that knew my older brother expected me to follow in his footsteps. I played just about every sport growing up besides football. I just decided to stick to something I was good at.

Question: Your father was an athlete at East Carolina and your brother was an athlete at Virginia Tech. What made you decide to attend and compete at George Mason?
McCoy: I decided to compete at Mason because I got a good feel from the team and coaching staff that was around at the time I was being recruited. I also wanted to get away from the area in which I grew up so I wanted to go somewhere out of the area but not too far away from home.

Question: Track and field can be a long season between both the indoor and outdoor seasons. How do you relax and unwind after the meet when you're on the road?
McCoy: After a track meet I would rather just lie down and watch a movie with somebody or play video games.

Question: Who are some of the athletes, amateur or professional, that you admire?
McCoy: I admire all athletes, amateur and professional, because it's not an easy task to constantly push yourself everyday. I also want to send my prayers out to the family of Sean Taylor in light of the recent tragedy.

Question: After a very successful career at Mason, do you plan to compete in track and field after you graduate?
McCoy: After I graduate, I would love to continue competing but I have set a bar for myself. I will continue competing only if I hit the USA Olympic qualifying "A" standard of 16.66 meters in the triple jump. I would love to pursue every dream and admiration I have but I have to think realistically and prepare for other aspects of my life.