Illinois State head coach Jeff Pigg, prior to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, referred to senior Christian Goy as one of the greatest athletes in Redbird history. Goy proved him right Saturday by winning the mile run and becoming only the third NCAA champion in school history.
Goy, who holds the school record in the mile, out-kicked Alabamas David Kimani over the final 180-meters to claim Illinois States first NCAA Championship since Tom Smith did it in the high jump in 1987 and 1988. The Rheinsburg, Germany native and now three-time all-American finished with a time of 4:00.06.
It hasnt really set in yet, Goy said a couple hours after the race. I was picturing winning the race in my mind all day and I knew I could do it. We went out at the right pace and I just went with the guys sitting back in the third position for most of the race. With a couple laps left, David (Kimani) started to break away. I knew how he could kick, so I had to stay with him. Then with about 180 meters left it was just a race to the finish line and I came out on top.
For Goy, not only did he win a national championship, but it was his final race with only one more season of cross country remaining on his eligibility.
I didnt think a lot about that heading into the race, Goy said. I had a really good couple weeks of practice and Coach Pigg and I talked about how this was it and how I should leave everything on the track.
According to Pigg, Goy did leave everything.
He ran a great race and he ran really smart, Pigg said. Hes been focused on this race all year. Hes a tough guy that really takes pride in being good and he does all the little things that make a champion. He has so much desire and discipline. To go out the way he did is simply Christian. Hes an incredible athlete.
Goys heroics, along with the rest of the 2002 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, can be seen on Sunday on ESPN2 at 12:30 p.m.
