Terriers Set for NCAA Championships
June 5, 2013 | Men's Track & Field
June 5, 2013
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The Boston University men's and women's track & field teams will have three athletes compete at the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships beginning on Wednesday night at the University of Oregon's historic Hayward Field.
The Terriers will compete in a variety of disciplines, as graduate student Katie Matthews will represent the women's squad in the national final of the 10,000m run while junior Rich Peters (1,500m run) and graduate student Zachary Ray (400m hurdles) will compete in the national semifinals of their respective events.
"I think it speaks to our program being very well-rounded," director of track & field Robyne Johnson said. "There's 21 events in track & field and we try to have someone participate in each one. I think that's what keeps track & field going. We're very proud of the fact that we have three people in three different events, and for the first time since 2003, two male athletes at NCAAs."
All three Terriers have competed on this stage before, as Peters and Ray were at the NCAA Championships last year and Matthews competed at the 2011 national meet. The experience will prove to be important as the trio competes at Hayward Field, one of the most prestigious track & field venues in the country.
"The first time you're here, you're not sure where you stand or what’s going to happen," Johnson said. "The second time you come here, you come with a purpose. Not that they didn’t initially, but you don’t know what to expect. This time they know all the circumstances, they know the other competitors and they’re well-aware of their surroundings. And with this Oregon crowd, it’s unbelievable. They’re the most track savvy fans in the country. They’re knowledgeable about every time, race and jump. I think it’s going to go well for them; they’ll settle in and be ready to go."
Ray will be the first Terrier on the track, as he takes part in the national semifinals of the 400m hurdles on Wednesday. Ray, who battled through injury during the outdoor season, advanced to this point last year while a senior at Maryland and has followed that up with a successful year at BU.
"It’s more gratifying the second time around just because this past season has had a lot of ups and downs, Ray said. "I think the injury has made me more happy with my experience here because of the quality of care I’ve received. The trainers were extremely thorough and patient."
The Huntingtown, Md., native advanced to the national semifinal thanks to a time of 51.92 seconds in his quarterfinal heat. Coupled with a time of 51.45 seconds in the prelims, Ray is confident entering Wednesday.
"Coming off of probably one of the track weeks of my entire year, I feel like if there’s any time to peak, I feel most confident I can do it now," Ray said. ”The biggest difference between last year and this year is that I’m not really scared. I don’t doubt my abilities any more. You get a sense that you deserve to be there, and once the gun goes off you just run and let things happen."
Matthews, who was named America East Woman of the Year on Tuesday, will compete in the national final of the 10,000m run to conclude Wednesday evening. It is the second time that she has vied for a national title in this event, as she finished eighth in 2011 en route to being named a first team All-American. The Rocky Hill, Conn., native was a two-time All-American during the 2013 indoor season and has high aspirations for this weekend.
“It’s nice to keep it going because if feels like a continuation of one big season,” Matthews said. "It will be awesome to be an All-American again and to end on a high note."
She got to this stage thanks to a third-place finish at the East prelims. Her time of 33:27.28 is the fastest in the conference and eighth-best in the country entering Wednesday, but Matthews expects to run faster at Oregon.
“I definitely feel that I can run even faster. (The prelims) were very hot and humid and I was also holding back a bit to run a particular pace. At this meet I’ll be looking to place as high as I can, so it will probably be faster and I’m ready for that. The weather here is a lot better."
Peters will compete in the 1,500m run at the NCAA Championships for the second straight season. He placed sixth in last year's national final to earn First Team All-America honors. He posted a school-record time of 3:40.05 earlier this season at the Payton Jordan Invitational and is excited to be racing on the West Coast again.
"I’m really pumped and the place is amazing," Peters said. "It’s the perfect setting."
The Bristol, England, native posted a time of 3:48.12 to finish fifth in his quarterfinal heat at the East prelims to advance to this point. While it was not his best race, Peters is confident he can return to the national final and contend for a national title.
“I think I’ve got a different plan when I go into this one that it doesn’t happen quite the same," Peters said. "Bruce (assistant director of track & field Bruce Lehane) and I talked about how certain racing situations can be better than others. I would prefer a faster pace because I think I can hold a stronger pace and kick at the end. There are only a few guys in the field that can do that so I think it would play into my hands a little better."
Peters' heat will commence on Thursday night at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET. If Ray advances to the national final, he will compete on Friday at 7:40 p.m. ET.
