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BSU sends four to track national championships
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The Boise State track and field team will send four athletes to the University of Arkansas to represent the blue and orange at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships held March 14-15 in Fayetteville, Ark.
Selections were made Tuesday to decide who would be granted the honor of attending the annual meet. Leading the pack is Ryan Grinell, a junior from Idaho Falls. Grinnel qualified in two events with the No. 2 national ranking in the triple jump (16.40m) and No. 12 in the high jump (2.18m).
“Ryan has never made the [National Championships] and now he is ranked No. 2,” BSU Assistant Coach Petros Kyprianou said. “And of course one of his goals is to go win it.”
Savvas Diakonikolas qualified in the long jump (7.82m) as No. 7 in the nation. He made his way to BSU from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece after competing his freshman and sophomore seasons in Europe.
“Savvas is a very big competitor,” Kyprianou said. “He is experienced enough in big competition. We want him to peak at this meet, and Ryan as well. We want them to be ready to go at this meet. This is the big dance.”
The men’s jumpers are not the only competitors to make the trip to the championships. Simon Wardhaugh qualified in the No. 8 spot in the weight throw (21.35m). He transferred from the University of Queensland in Australia to BSU in 2006.
Coach Kyprianou believes that Wardhaugh will need at least a 22.50m throw to keep him alive in the race for first place.
“One meter is not easy but it is not impossible for somebody like Simon,” Kyprianou said.
Not far behind Wardaugh is Mathew Wauters of the University of Idaho, who placed No. 12. He will provide familiar competition for Wardaugh at nationals.
“Matt Wauters is a very talented young man,” Kyprianou said. “He could be very close to Simon.”
Last, but not least, is the only woman making the trip for the Broncos, Eleni Kafourou. She is No. 16 nationally in the long jump (6.31m) and No. 15 in the triple jump (13.18m). Kafourou is notably the three-time Junior National Champion in her homeland, Greece.
“Elenis’ marks are very big marks,” Kyprianou said. “This year is the best year in the country for the jump.”
Kafourou’s mark this year would have earned her a No. 7 spot in 2007 Kyprianou said. “This is a personal best for her,” Kyprianou said. “She is her best shape ever . I do believe that an All-American honor will be her priority. She will get the chance to compete against the best of the best in the world and we are expecting her in the top eight.”
While the achievements have continued to roll in for the BSU track and field athletes, the coaching staff has also enjoyed some glory this season.
Kyprianou bettered his credentials Tuesday when he was named the West Regional Assistant Coach of the Year. It is obvious by observing the BSU jumpers, that he has done his job well.
“This is the year that might be the beginning of something great for this team,” Kyprianou said. “Coach Maynard is the person who put this team together.”
The question of the home track advantage was raised after six consecutive meets have been held at the Jackson Indoor Track and Field in Nampa.
“The Arkansas track is exactly like our track,” Kyprianou said. “We are in a place that has got great history in jumping . Coach Booth, who is considered one of the top jump coaches in the world, takes good care of his runways.”
Kyprianou wasn’t worried about the meet moving away from the familiar track that the Broncos have become accustomed to over the past few months.
“Our facilities are exactly the same,” Kyprianou said. “Ours is just blue.”
Kyprianou alluded to a possible national title in the near future but was careful not to imply any sort of guarantee.
“This is the big picture for us and this is the first time that our head coach has built a team to go and win a national title,” Kyprianou said.
KIRK BELL
Sports Writer
