Stacia Beste and JaRod Tobler are ready to take their track and field expertise to the next level as they get set to represent Illinois State Wednesday at the 2002 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Bernie Moore Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
Tobler will compete in the mens long jump at 6:45 p.m., while Beste will compete in the womens 10,000 meter run at 9:15 p.m. central standard time.
A senior from Shorewood, Wisc., Beste automatically qualified for the national meet at the Cardinal Invitational at Stanford May 3, with an Illinois State record time of 34:08.22. At Stanford, she was the top collegiate finisher in a 10,000 meter race in which two national (America and Japan) record times were set.
Beste finished 15th in the event last year at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., with a time of 36:13.17.
In addition to her qualifying time, Beste won the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs at the 2002 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, which brings her career Valley track title total to seven. She was also named the Valley Most Outstanding Female Track Athlete.
Right now, I am more excited than nervous, said Beste. I feel pretty confident going in, but there is better competition here (at the NCAA meet) than at the conference meet. Hopefully, I will have a better performance than last year.
Tobler, a sophomore from Aurora, Ill., earned his NCAA qualifying mark at the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships May 17 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In his final jump of the competition, Tobler cruised to his first Valley title with a mark of 25 feet, 7 inches (7.80 meters). This will be his first trip to the national meet.
The key for me is to gain experience, said Tobler, regarding the national meet. Hopefully, next year when I go I will be more relaxed and know the atmosphere a little better. I think I will be looked at as a rookie, but I want my opponents to know that I am an athlete to contend with.
Illinois State head coach Jeff Pigg has confidence in both athletes competing at the next level.
The opportunity to compete at the NCAA meet is great for both our athletes and our program, said Pigg. It gives our athletes the opportunity to see how other athletes in their events are competing from around the country. It also elevates an individuals future performances, because once you get to the national level you try to do whatever it takes to get back.
Considering the fact that this is Stacias last competition as a Redbird, it is an exciting place to be and she is performing at the highest level that I have ever seen her compete, said Pigg. For me, this is a bittersweet deal, because I love to watch her perform at this level, but when it is over I will miss having her as an athlete.
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