Etoot and Harris Representing Men's Track at NCAA Championships
3/9/2004 12:00:00 AM
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Sophomores Peter Etoot and Chauncey Harris will be the University of Alabama’s representatives at the 2004 NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Etoot qualified automatically for the 800m posting three automatic qualifying times while successfully defending his SEC Championship in the event at the same time. Last year Etoot qualified for the NCAA Championships but a 15th place finish in the preliminary round was as far as he was able to go.
“Peter started slow this season but after the Tyson (Invitational) we sat down in the locker room and talked for over an hour,” said Alabama Head Coach Harvey Glance. “We talked about life and about re-evaluating his goals and after that everything just clicked for him.”
Etoot is back on track and Glance says he can see the hungry and determined looked in his eyes that he saw last year.
“He looks like the Peter of last year,” said Glance. “Now he has the fire in his eyes that he wants to be the best and that second isn’t good enough anymore.”
His time of 1:46.91 currently stands as the second fastest time in the country.
All season, Harris was close to qualifying but was never able to cross the threshold until the SEC Championships when he recorded a provisional time of 21.21 in the 200m. He was not finished though, taking advantage of the final meet of the season last week, the Nike Fast Times meet in Gainesville, Florida. Harris ran a provisional time of 21.08 which was fast enough to get him into the NCAA Championships.
“I’m extremely proud of the progress Chauncey made and the patience he has shown all season,” said Glance. “Chauncey is mentally strong and wants to win. He works hard but he works smart.”
Harris also qualified for the 60m with a provisional time of 6.67.
“When you have the horses that everybody knows can do it, it’s great, but when you have the talent and bring it to the forefront that’s what makes you proud as a coach,” said Glance.
The meet is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 12 and will conclude on Saturday, March 13.
