Thursday, May 26
Eugene, OR
TBA
Montana State University
at
NCAA Division I Western Regional
Kaylee Schmitz
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Kaylee Schmitz Leads Group of Four Bobcats to Track Regionals
5/27/2016 6:55:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Schmitz, Douglass, Gambill and Sharp compete in Lawrence starting Thursday
Kaylee Schmitz was living in the moment. That is always a goal for half of Montana State's star half-mile tandem.
But in the moment of the 800 meter trials at the Big Sky Conference Championships, the senior from O'Fallon, Illinois, had a larger purpose. "Going into prelims it was (important to) run a good time to get to finals, but also I knew I had just two chances left to (qualify for regionals) so I had to go for it."
Going for it paid off in a big way. Schmitz posted a school record 2:08.67 in winner her heat of the 800 meters at the Big Sky Championships May 13, before finishing sixth in the finals. Her semifinal performance boosted her into the NCAA Midwest Region Championships, where her race was pushed from Thursday to Friday (May 27) due to inclement weather in Lawrence, Kansas.
"That was a really good feeling," she said of her prelim performance, "but I think it might have made me a little too comfortable for the next day, because that didn't go well. But it was good to get out there (in the prelims) and just fly and feel confident."
Schmitz and three throwers – seniors Zach Sharp in the hammer throw and Tanner Gambill in the javelin, and sophomore Kyle Douglass in the discuss – comprise Montana State's Midwest Region contingent. Gambill enters the meet ranked 82nd, Sharp 92nd, and Douglass 49th in their respective events. Schmitz is 109th.
Schmitz's standard game plan – to stay with the leaders for the first half of the race then let her strong kick propel her in the final 200 meters – remains in play in Lawrence, says MSU distance coach Lyle Weese, himself a former Bobcat Big Sky Champion and All-America. "The big key will be that third 200, from 400 meters to 600, pushing it in that section, because she always finishes well. If she's close at the 600 meter mark and uses her natural leg speed she'll have a great chance to get though the (first) round."
Facing what could be her final series of races as a Bobcat, Schmitz credits much of her success to "great coaching" and a competitive yet collegial training environment at MSU. "(Schiel and MSU junior Christie Schiel) push each other in a way that benefits both of us. Neither of us would be as successful in our careers if we didn't have each other. To be able to train with her in the indoor season and the outdoor season, it's better than any other kind of environment you could be in."
The revised schedule for Friday has Schmitz running at 10 am MT, Sharp throwing at 8 am, Gambill at 9:30 am, and Douglass at 4:30 pm. Live results are available at http://www.ncaa.com/ncaa-division-i-west-preliminary-round.
But in the moment of the 800 meter trials at the Big Sky Conference Championships, the senior from O'Fallon, Illinois, had a larger purpose. "Going into prelims it was (important to) run a good time to get to finals, but also I knew I had just two chances left to (qualify for regionals) so I had to go for it."
Going for it paid off in a big way. Schmitz posted a school record 2:08.67 in winner her heat of the 800 meters at the Big Sky Championships May 13, before finishing sixth in the finals. Her semifinal performance boosted her into the NCAA Midwest Region Championships, where her race was pushed from Thursday to Friday (May 27) due to inclement weather in Lawrence, Kansas.
"That was a really good feeling," she said of her prelim performance, "but I think it might have made me a little too comfortable for the next day, because that didn't go well. But it was good to get out there (in the prelims) and just fly and feel confident."
Schmitz and three throwers – seniors Zach Sharp in the hammer throw and Tanner Gambill in the javelin, and sophomore Kyle Douglass in the discuss – comprise Montana State's Midwest Region contingent. Gambill enters the meet ranked 82nd, Sharp 92nd, and Douglass 49th in their respective events. Schmitz is 109th.
Schmitz's standard game plan – to stay with the leaders for the first half of the race then let her strong kick propel her in the final 200 meters – remains in play in Lawrence, says MSU distance coach Lyle Weese, himself a former Bobcat Big Sky Champion and All-America. "The big key will be that third 200, from 400 meters to 600, pushing it in that section, because she always finishes well. If she's close at the 600 meter mark and uses her natural leg speed she'll have a great chance to get though the (first) round."
Facing what could be her final series of races as a Bobcat, Schmitz credits much of her success to "great coaching" and a competitive yet collegial training environment at MSU. "(Schiel and MSU junior Christie Schiel) push each other in a way that benefits both of us. Neither of us would be as successful in our careers if we didn't have each other. To be able to train with her in the indoor season and the outdoor season, it's better than any other kind of environment you could be in."
The revised schedule for Friday has Schmitz running at 10 am MT, Sharp throwing at 8 am, Gambill at 9:30 am, and Douglass at 4:30 pm. Live results are available at http://www.ncaa.com/ncaa-division-i-west-preliminary-round.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and FieldMonday, May 16
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