James, Ryan Performing at a High Level
March 31, 2008 | Women's Track & Field
March 31, 2008
By Cassie Rhodes
Seniors Marisa Ryan and Tahari James are two women to be admired. Their performances at the recent NCAA Championships and entire careers are remarkable.
From the first time these women set foot on the track, they have been turning heads with their outstanding accomplishments. They continue to improve on their own performances and peak at the appropriate times.
At the recent NCAA Championships, both women earned spots as All-America athletes. Ryan placed fifth in the 3000 meters with a time of 9:12.83, and James placed sixth in the triple jump with a leap of 13:42 meters.
To succeed in any sport, an athlete needs to know how to push herself beyond her limits and look for continual improvement. She needs to train hard, and implement this approach in competitions - something these two women excel at.
"I am my main rival," said Ryan. "I thrive off bettering my personal records and am never completely satisfied with my performance. I always believe that I can do at least a little better and enjoy the process of working toward a new and improved personal record."
Motivation is James's key to success. "Every time I perform, regardless of the meet, I want to do well and try to finish the meet with a better mark than I had going into it," she said. "My biggest motivation is myself and wanting to excel in everything that I do."
"I also feel like God has given me these gifts and allowed me to progress so much that it would be a waste if I didn't continue to challenge myself. I don't know when this path is going to end, but I am going to try and stay on it for as long as possible."
Even in an individual sport, teamwork and team spirit are essential to challenge training, offer competition and provide a support network.
"I am very motivated by my teammates," said Ryan. "I always want to do my best to make them proud and so that the team places as high as possible. My teammates inspire me when they work hard and have success so I try and do the same for them."
This team spirit also drives James to succeed and constantly push herself. "I've been fortunate enough to have teammates that remind me why I love this sport so much and coaches that make me remember why these sacrifices so worthwhile," she said.
In BU's home opener this year, Ryan won both the mile run and the 3000 meter. Her season only continued to prosper as she won both the 3000 meter and the one-mile run at the America East Championship.
Similarly at the same meet, James placed first in the triple-jump (12.98m), setting new personal, school and meet records.
For these two girls, their hard work has consistently paid off as they win numerous awards. For the second consecutive year, James was named the America East Field Performer of the Year. In addition Ryan was named America East Women's Scholar of the Year for her efforts in the classroom, on the track and in the community. Ryan is enrolled in the University's School of Medicine.
"I try to keep everything is perspective," said Ryan. "I love the sport and it is very important to me. Seeing patients at Boston Medical Center who cannot leave a bed or who are hooked up to a dialysis machine is an almost daily reminder. Remembering my good fortune always helps me to relax, have fun and just do my best on that given day."
These two women prove that anything can be possible when you put your mind to it. They have proven over the past few years and it is no doubt they will continue to prosper in the years to come.
Cassie Rhodes is a senior at Boston University and a member of the Terrier women's rowing team. She can be reached at crhodes@bu.edu.
