Jarod Tobler has had an impressive career to look back on as he prepares for his last season on the Illinois State track and field team.
The Aurora, Ill. natives career as a jumper and sprinter has made him an NCAA provisional qualifier in the long and triple jump, an all-Missouri Valley Conference selection in the long jump and the school holder in the indoor long jump.
Now, as Tobler is set to begin his senior season, he expects to do even better than his first three years.
I need to stay focused and work on my technique and sprinting form, Tobler said. If I do all that then I am very confident that no one in our conference can beat me. I feel that I can make it to Nationals and place higher there than I did before.
During the 2002-03 season Tobler was one of the captains on the track team. However he did not fulfill the expectations that he had set for himself. This year he has put that behind him and is focusing on his last season at Illinois State.
I have to get my mind right, Tobler said. Last year was tough getting used to a new coach and different strategies. I wasnt mentally ready for it. Now I am more focused than ever because I learned so much last year.
Tobler is an all-around athlete. At West Aurora High School he competed in track and field and was on the basketballl team that won the 2000 IHSA state basketball championship. Tobler said winning state in high school and competing at Nationals were incredible experiences.
Both events had tremendous impacts on my athletic life and are closely related, Tobler said. During the finals in basketball everyone was doubting us as a team. We were a close family and rose above the odds. At Nationals I was competing individually and trying to prove to myself that I could do it. Both events taught me a lot.
Tobler does well in the triple jump but his personal favorite is the long jump.
There is something about long jump that I just fell in love with, Tobler said. I have been doing it all my life, and now it is second nature to me. I learned triple jump my junior year in high school. I dont feel that I have enough experience yet to feel comfortable.
Tobler enjoys spending time with friends and playing Nintendo when he is not running track.
My roommate has Play Station 2 but I like to stick with the original Nintendo, Tobler said. Right now I am really into Double Dribble and World Class Track with the Power Pad. I am looking to buy Mike Tyson Punch Out next.
Tobler will try to continue running after college but is looking at other options.
Ideally, I would love to continue to run for the U.S. team, Tobler said. If that doesnt work out I want to coach in college. I would like to get a graduate position at a college and learn the ropes of coaching there.
The track and field team starts their season on Dec. 6 at the Redbird Open.
Written by Jolene Harrison, Student Assistant, Athletics Media Relations
