2002 NCAA Indoor Mile Champion.
2002 MVC Athlete of the Year.
2002 ISU Male Athlete of the Year.
Verizon All-American.
These are just a few of the accomplishments Christian Goy has achieved during his four years at Illinois State University.
But, according to the Rheinsburg, Germany native, one race determines whether he did everything right or not - the Midwest Region cross country district race on November 16, 2002, at ISUs cross country course. The race will be Goys last or second last collegiate meet, depending on how he finishes. His finish will determine if he will make the NCAA Nationals. Goy has been preparing for that race and the rest of the season all summer.
Everybody goes running. Everybody goes for 10 miles. Everybody goes for a workout, Goy said. But Im really focused on doing all the little essential stuff; getting the sleep you need and time management.
Its sometimes very mind-numbing and tiring, but its going well. I think I have never been that focused. Ive been very focused the last two months, only on that.
Focused is one thing Goy has been during his time here.
Head coach Chris Bailey said, Christian as an athlete is so focused and determined, and he sets high goals. Thats what makes him so good. He is a tremendous athlete and person.
Former head coach Jeff Pigg agrees, He wants to be the best, not by beating people, but by making the most out of what he can. Its the extra things like the passion and commitment he has that takes him from good to great.
Goy has shown his greatness in many ways, but winning the 2002 NCAA Indoor Championship has been the most recent and notable. Goy finished the mile at 4:00.06, outrunning Alabamas David Kimani.
I could have won anything at that moment, Goy remarked. Goy remembers the race vividly.
The beginning was kind of physical. The race was slow. Then, 700 meters to go, I was in third position. At 400 meters, I was thinking Should I go [into the lead] or should I stay?. And in the beginning of the season, I made one mistake. I was starting to take the lead 300 meters before usual and losing. I said to myself, Goy, you will not make the same mistake. You will wait, you will be patient. Then 180 meters to go I just took it. And that was the race.
Afterwards, I think I can recount every minute. Going on a victory lap, people yelling at you and screaming at you. The people from the MVC (Missouri Valley Conference) were ecstatic.
It took me two months to get into my mind what really happened. I still get chills watching the tape. I think the best part of winning the NCAA Championship was when we [the athletic department] watched the tape in Redbird Arena. It was like watching the tape with my friends, with the team, with all the athletes who appreciate what you have done. I had tears in my eyes; I had chills. I think that was better than winning the title.
Goy said he will take what he has learned from the NCAA Championship with him forever. He would like to participate in the World Championships for Germany this summer and is shooting for the Olympics in 2004 in Athens, Greece. He plans to turn professional in December of this year.
But there is more to Goy than his many athletic achievements. He has been a Verizon Academic All-American and on the AFNI Honor roll every semester. Goy maintains a 3.5 GPA in Management Organization and Leadership. He is especially proud that he has been able to learn a second language.
My English was on an F-level [in high school]. None of my English teachers would ever believe that I did it, Goy said.
When asked what he regarded as his biggest accomplishment, Goy remarked, Making a dream come truein a sense that every goal that I put out there I have accomplished so far.
Goy plans on furthering his education by pursuing a Masters in Business Administration. He wants to someday write a book about the relationships, feelings and stories he has accumulated over the years. He may also tinker with his hobby of drawing, mainly landscapes.
Goy will stay in the U.S. instead of returning to his native country. He said that the financial opportunities are better in the U.S. than in Germany and wants to support his family as they have supported him.
Coming here has made me understand that I love my parents more than anything. They will always be there for me, and I will do the same for them. They are my biggest love.
Right now, Goy is living each day in the moment.
I will go wherever the wind is blowing me, Goy said.
By Kristy Kreinbrink
Kreinbrink is a senior on the Illinois State gymnastics team and a native of Leipsic, Ohio. She will be writing feature stories throughout the 2002-03 season for www.redbirds.org.
