|
Chargers race against world-class athletes
By Stephanie Riebe
Collegian Reporter
The Gina Relays showcased the performance
of 1996 Olympic trials champion Paul McMullen last Saturday.
He took first place in the 1,500-meter race
with a time of 3 minues, 46.99 seconds and also won the 800-meter
race with a time of 1:51.00.
McMullen's victories, however, are small in
comparison to his long list of track accomplishments.
A Michigan resident since birth, McMullen's
career highlights include being the 1996 Olympic trials champion,
1995 USA Outdoor Champion, 1998 USA Indoor mile champion and
placing 10th at the 2001 World Outdoors.
McMullen's participation and performance in
the Gina Relays represent how the meet is a competition that
some hopeful Olympic athletes have come to count on for preparation.
One of the most exciting aspects of McMullen's
visit to the Gina Relays was having Charger athletes running
alongside him.
"McMullen has competed at Gina before,"
junior Michael Nikkila said. "I remember watching him race
when I was a freshman, but it was quite a treat to actually
get to race against him. At a bigger meet, I would never had
gotten a chance to race with him. There would have been too
many runners between him and myself."
Nikkila finished ninth in the 1,500-meter
with a time of 3:53.22 and 26th in the 800-meter race with a
time of 1:56.74.
"It is definitely intimidating to line
up with a former Olympian," Nikkila said. " But it's
also very exciting to see how I've grown."
McMullen's wife, Jill Stamison, was
on the 1997 World Championship team in the 800-meter race. She
won the 800 on Saturday in 2:08.49.
|
