MSU's Jadin Casey Takes 2018 Indoor Season Feats Into Big Sky Championships
2/20/2018 8:54:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
400-meter specialist Jadin Casey has made waves in his featured event this season and looks to continue his momentum into the conference meet this weekend
He's been a specialist since the moment he stepped on the track.
The sport has been one he's been around for some time. The event he runs in has brought him success at each level he's competed at.
Jadin Casey and the 400-meter run are synonymous since he made his way to the campus of Montana State University.
The native of Stevensville, Mont., has always had an affinity for the event. He grew up enjoying the distance, following his father's footsteps of running the same event, while also appreciating the relay that highlights his forte – the 4x400 relay.
Casey earned MHSA Class A State Championships in both the 400 and 300 hurdles while attending Stevensville High and broke the Yellowjackets' records in each event. He came to MSU and had a variety of early highlights in his collegiate career. He qualified for the Big Sky Indoor Championships as a freshman and placed fifth in the 400. Casey also participated at the Big Sky Outdoor meet in his first year in Bozeman.
But, the success he had for the Bobcats didn't quite match what he'd been able to accomplish for Stevensville. It took an adjustment period for Casey to get acclimated to the workload it takes to thrive at the Division I level.
"It was a humongous transition to start training as soon as we get to school," Casey said of his freshman season. "It was kind of new to have six days of training a week. Also, it was kind of a shock to all of a sudden go from winning state in high school to being kind of the lower end of your event. It was kind of motivating though to really push myself."
His motivation led him to a breakthrough sophomore campaign.
Casey earned his first all-conference accolades during the indoor season when he finished runner-up at the Big Sky Championships in Pocatello. His success has continued into his junior indoor slate with him shattering lifetime bests repeatedly in 2018.
The Bobcats' 400 specialist moved to second all-time in program history in the event in January with his time of 47.78 seconds. He joined the all-time top 10 list on a 4x400 relay for the second time in his career, sitting fifth and seventh as the anchor leg on both. Casey also moved into a tie for third in the 200 just this past week at the Big Sky Tuner by crossing the line in a converted mark of 21.71.
"It's definitely exciting," Casey said. "It's cool to work super hard at something and then see results that you can be happy with. Knowing that I still have seasons left of eligibility is really great and it's exciting to see where I can still go."
His experience has already carried him to a place many individuals struggle to get to.
Casey's veteran-like approach to his specialty is what head coach Dale Kennedy said has allowed him to see what he's attained this year. Kennedy noted Casey's blend of speed and endurance, but also a third intangible that plays a role in his performance at this level of competition.
Kennedy said it's his ability to handle discomfort in training and his willingness to push through that pain.
"The 400 is not a feel-good event and the training for is not a feel-good experience," Kennedy said. "He's a kid that mental toughness is something that he has. I think that's so important to have to be a 400-meter runner. It's one of those things that's learned and not earned. He's learned that over his track career from high school to college."
MSU's specialist in the 400 still has ambitions ahead of him. His focus right now; trying to earn a Big Sky title.
Currently, Casey sits second on the Big Sky performance list in the 400 and sixth in the 200 heading into the upcoming conference championships in Flagstaff. He also is expected to serve as the anchor for MSU's 4x400 relay that registered the Big Sky's second-fastest mark (3:16.32) during the season.
"For me the goal is to be a Big Sky Conference champion in the 400, also in the 4x400 and break our school record in the relay," Casey said. "So, high goals, and I think that's important to have going into anything."
The sport has been one he's been around for some time. The event he runs in has brought him success at each level he's competed at.
Jadin Casey and the 400-meter run are synonymous since he made his way to the campus of Montana State University.
The native of Stevensville, Mont., has always had an affinity for the event. He grew up enjoying the distance, following his father's footsteps of running the same event, while also appreciating the relay that highlights his forte – the 4x400 relay.
Casey earned MHSA Class A State Championships in both the 400 and 300 hurdles while attending Stevensville High and broke the Yellowjackets' records in each event. He came to MSU and had a variety of early highlights in his collegiate career. He qualified for the Big Sky Indoor Championships as a freshman and placed fifth in the 400. Casey also participated at the Big Sky Outdoor meet in his first year in Bozeman.
But, the success he had for the Bobcats didn't quite match what he'd been able to accomplish for Stevensville. It took an adjustment period for Casey to get acclimated to the workload it takes to thrive at the Division I level.
"It was a humongous transition to start training as soon as we get to school," Casey said of his freshman season. "It was kind of new to have six days of training a week. Also, it was kind of a shock to all of a sudden go from winning state in high school to being kind of the lower end of your event. It was kind of motivating though to really push myself."
His motivation led him to a breakthrough sophomore campaign.
Casey earned his first all-conference accolades during the indoor season when he finished runner-up at the Big Sky Championships in Pocatello. His success has continued into his junior indoor slate with him shattering lifetime bests repeatedly in 2018.
The Bobcats' 400 specialist moved to second all-time in program history in the event in January with his time of 47.78 seconds. He joined the all-time top 10 list on a 4x400 relay for the second time in his career, sitting fifth and seventh as the anchor leg on both. Casey also moved into a tie for third in the 200 just this past week at the Big Sky Tuner by crossing the line in a converted mark of 21.71.
"It's definitely exciting," Casey said. "It's cool to work super hard at something and then see results that you can be happy with. Knowing that I still have seasons left of eligibility is really great and it's exciting to see where I can still go."
His experience has already carried him to a place many individuals struggle to get to.
Casey's veteran-like approach to his specialty is what head coach Dale Kennedy said has allowed him to see what he's attained this year. Kennedy noted Casey's blend of speed and endurance, but also a third intangible that plays a role in his performance at this level of competition.
Kennedy said it's his ability to handle discomfort in training and his willingness to push through that pain.
"The 400 is not a feel-good event and the training for is not a feel-good experience," Kennedy said. "He's a kid that mental toughness is something that he has. I think that's so important to have to be a 400-meter runner. It's one of those things that's learned and not earned. He's learned that over his track career from high school to college."
MSU's specialist in the 400 still has ambitions ahead of him. His focus right now; trying to earn a Big Sky title.
Currently, Casey sits second on the Big Sky performance list in the 400 and sixth in the 200 heading into the upcoming conference championships in Flagstaff. He also is expected to serve as the anchor for MSU's 4x400 relay that registered the Big Sky's second-fastest mark (3:16.32) during the season.
"For me the goal is to be a Big Sky Conference champion in the 400, also in the 4x400 and break our school record in the relay," Casey said. "So, high goals, and I think that's important to have going into anything."
Players Mentioned
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