CMU - Alum Mays Places Eighth at USA Indoor Championships
Provided by CMU
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Central Michigan track and field alum and weight throw record holder Kevin Mays placed eighth at 2013 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Albuquerque, N.M. on Saturday, March 2.
"I'm extremely excited for Kevin and extremely proud of him. He came along way, considering he was the athlete who got to nationals but didn't make it to the finals there, but continues to follow his dreams in becoming an elite athlete," said Director of track and field Willie Randolph.
"Qualifying for USA Nationals first and for most, then getting to the finals speaks volumes of him as a person, coming from our program. The dreams will come together if you keep holding on to them."
Mays' placing throw of 66-11.5 came in the fifth round, the second round of the finals. He qualified for the finals with a throw of 66-7.75.
"It wasn't anywhere near my best performance, but to come and compete at this meet, and to get where I needed to get into the finals, it's something I really hang my hat on," said Mays.
After not qualifying for the finals of the 2012 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field National Championships, a meet where he placed 10th, qualifying for the finals and placing eighth was a huge moment for Mays.
"I never would have thought at the beginning of my college career that I would be in the place that I am now, so I want to show the people on the team now and the people I graduated with that if you still want to compete, you can do it. It's not too far fetched of a goal to get to this level," Mays said.
"It takes hard work and dedication. By no means did I start out as an elite athlete, but to look back and to look at where I am now, it's really important for me to keep throwing, not only for myself but for the school, for Coach Randolph, for Coach Ridgeway, for my high school coaches, and for kids at my high school, so this has been really important for me."
"Kevin represents what our program has and always will be about– student-athletes with a relentless drive and passion seeking excellence," said Randolph.
