One goal accomplished, one to go.
The two Marietta College thinclads will now be striving for All-American status in their respective events. According to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the top eight in each event are recognized as an All-American. The NCAA places the top eight finishers and provides awards.
“I try to stress to Jayshon and Zach that it’s not about performing big on one day,” said Pioneer head track and field coach Derek Stanley. “It’s about doing what you did to get there.
“If they perform as well as they already have, they will be right in the mix, and at that point we can look for brilliance.”
Irvin, an MC freshman broadcasting major and football player, is scheduled to run in the 100-meter dash trials at 4:10 p.m. Friday. The finals are slated for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Currently, Irvin is tied for 14th place in the 100-meter dash with a school-record time of 10.71 seconds, set at the April 11 All-Ohio Championship.
“I think he’ll need to run a personal-best to qualify for the final,” Stanley said. “If he makes the final he’ll receive an award and be tabbed an All-American.”
There are 21 entrants in the 100-meter dash field, including Ohio Northern University sophomore Ryan Fleming, whose qualifying time is 10.72 in the event.
Stephen Headley of Springfield College owns the best qualifying time of 10.39, followed by Michael Hill of Methodist University and Eric Bertelsen of Buena Vista University, each with a clocking of 10.51.
“The one thing I like about Jayshon is that he is a good competitor and he runs well when he is racing against fast competition,” Stanley said.
Gay, an MC theater major, needed to high jump 6-feet, 8-3/4 inches at last Friday’s Gergory Invitational to be considered by the NCAA Selection Committee. Prior to clearing the bar at that height, he’d been a provisional qualifier for the three-day marquee meet in Marietta at 6-7 1/2.
There are 18 entrants in the high jump with Al Winsley of Mississippi College at the top of the list with a leap of 7-1. Todd Wildman of Trinity University and John Kimmel of Manchester College each has cleared 6-11.
“The high jump competition is a bit different,” Stanley said. “Most of the entries are very close and it’s really a matter of who can jump well on that day.
“When Zach is jumping well he is right with the rest of the jumpers.”