Indiana University Athletics
Kuhn, Heptathletes Shine in Record Breaking Season
1/27/2016 4:00:00 PM | Track and Field
By: Tori Ziege | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
The first time Daniel Kuhn broke the program 800m indoor record, it didn't count.
The sophomore middle distance runner clocked the split during the men's distance medley relay, an event that combines the 1200m, 400m, 800m and 1600m for a race of nearly 2.5 miles.
His 1:47.16 leg the bested previous record set in 2015 by Tre'tez Kinnaird by more than a second.
But if Kuhn wanted to see his name in the record books, he'd have to repeat that performance on Day 2 of the Gladstein Invitational — this time, on tired legs.
"Daniel's demeanor is such that these high level performances, he really takes in stride," head coach Ron Helmer said. "He doesn't get overly anxious. He doesn't get overly impressed with himself when he does something good."
Kuhn kept that cool demeanor by staying focused on his competitors, knowing that if he kept up with the leaders, a fast time would follow.
He finished second in the men's 800m run on Saturday, officially capturing the school record in 1:48.13.
"I was happy with it, but I wanted a little bit more," Kuhn said. "I'm still hungry. I'm definitely not satisfied."
In the very early stages of the season, there's a lot more to expect from the Shelbyville, Ind., native, who once upon a time had intentions of playing baseball for Trine University before committing to IU track and field.
Indiana recruited him hard, Helmer said, because they saw what he was capable of. Kuhn won the 2014 state title in the 800m without any training since middle school — he was too busy with baseball practice.
Now, with two years of training under his belt, Kuhn's ability to hit record-breaking marks in back-to-back races indicates to Helmer that his fitness level is strong. Kuhn is in the best shape of his career, he said, completing workouts better than he ever has.
"Number one, he's really good. Number two, he's very focused," Helmer said. "He's got very high goals, and more than anybody I've had for a while, he really trusts what we're doing."
Kuhn headlines a trio of program-best performances in 2015-16 — already two more than the IU had at this juncture a season ago.
Freshman Markevious Roach raced to first in the school 500m record books during his first meet of the season. On the women's side, junior Nakel McClinton set a program-best distance of 20.60 meters in the weight throw during the Indiana-Tennessee Dual Meet.
The men's heptathlon group has also had one of the strongest collective showings in school history, with four Hoosiers totaling scores in the top-10 all-time at the Gladstein Invitational.
Senior Dylan Anderson led the way for Indiana with 5,616 — the third best point total ever by an IU athlete. Senior Stephen Keller, sophomore Chase Pacheco and sophomore Andrew Huber followed in fourth, seventh and eighth all-time, respectively.
"For me, it got really distracting when people started talking about whether or not I could (set a record)," Anderson said. "I don't like to think about it too much. If it happens, it happens."
In an event like heptathlon, where the athletes must compete in seven events — everything from high jump, to hurdles, to shot-put — Anderson said it helps that he and his teammates can play off each other's strengths.
Anderson's specialty is the pole vault. Keller's, the high jump. Huber loves to lead hurdles — mostly because he enjoys getting the guys motivated.
"It's great to have training partners that are strong in all the events," Anderson said. "We're pumping each other up and getting in each other's faces. Just friendly fun all the time."
While it's rare for one athlete to place in the top-10 all-time, let alone four, Helmer said he's not surprised by the progress of the heptathlon group. These results have been in the works for quite some time.
"I don't know if it was just this week," Helmer said. "It was probably the last year or so — the last couple years. They've committed to working."
IUHoosiers.com
The first time Daniel Kuhn broke the program 800m indoor record, it didn't count.
The sophomore middle distance runner clocked the split during the men's distance medley relay, an event that combines the 1200m, 400m, 800m and 1600m for a race of nearly 2.5 miles.
His 1:47.16 leg the bested previous record set in 2015 by Tre'tez Kinnaird by more than a second.
But if Kuhn wanted to see his name in the record books, he'd have to repeat that performance on Day 2 of the Gladstein Invitational — this time, on tired legs.
"Daniel's demeanor is such that these high level performances, he really takes in stride," head coach Ron Helmer said. "He doesn't get overly anxious. He doesn't get overly impressed with himself when he does something good."
Kuhn kept that cool demeanor by staying focused on his competitors, knowing that if he kept up with the leaders, a fast time would follow.
He finished second in the men's 800m run on Saturday, officially capturing the school record in 1:48.13.
"I was happy with it, but I wanted a little bit more," Kuhn said. "I'm still hungry. I'm definitely not satisfied."
In the very early stages of the season, there's a lot more to expect from the Shelbyville, Ind., native, who once upon a time had intentions of playing baseball for Trine University before committing to IU track and field.
Indiana recruited him hard, Helmer said, because they saw what he was capable of. Kuhn won the 2014 state title in the 800m without any training since middle school — he was too busy with baseball practice.
Now, with two years of training under his belt, Kuhn's ability to hit record-breaking marks in back-to-back races indicates to Helmer that his fitness level is strong. Kuhn is in the best shape of his career, he said, completing workouts better than he ever has.
"Number one, he's really good. Number two, he's very focused," Helmer said. "He's got very high goals, and more than anybody I've had for a while, he really trusts what we're doing."
Kuhn headlines a trio of program-best performances in 2015-16 — already two more than the IU had at this juncture a season ago.
Freshman Markevious Roach raced to first in the school 500m record books during his first meet of the season. On the women's side, junior Nakel McClinton set a program-best distance of 20.60 meters in the weight throw during the Indiana-Tennessee Dual Meet.
The men's heptathlon group has also had one of the strongest collective showings in school history, with four Hoosiers totaling scores in the top-10 all-time at the Gladstein Invitational.
Senior Dylan Anderson led the way for Indiana with 5,616 — the third best point total ever by an IU athlete. Senior Stephen Keller, sophomore Chase Pacheco and sophomore Andrew Huber followed in fourth, seventh and eighth all-time, respectively.
"For me, it got really distracting when people started talking about whether or not I could (set a record)," Anderson said. "I don't like to think about it too much. If it happens, it happens."
In an event like heptathlon, where the athletes must compete in seven events — everything from high jump, to hurdles, to shot-put — Anderson said it helps that he and his teammates can play off each other's strengths.
Anderson's specialty is the pole vault. Keller's, the high jump. Huber loves to lead hurdles — mostly because he enjoys getting the guys motivated.
"It's great to have training partners that are strong in all the events," Anderson said. "We're pumping each other up and getting in each other's faces. Just friendly fun all the time."
While it's rare for one athlete to place in the top-10 all-time, let alone four, Helmer said he's not surprised by the progress of the heptathlon group. These results have been in the works for quite some time.
"I don't know if it was just this week," Helmer said. "It was probably the last year or so — the last couple years. They've committed to working."
Players Mentioned
Multi
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
High Jump/Multi
/ Track and Field
Middle Distance
/ Track and Field
Middle Distance
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Multi
/ Track and Field
Sprints
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