Indiana University Athletics
All-American Opportunity Awaits in Austin
6/6/2023 10:00:00 AM | Track and Field
NCAA Outdoor Championships Q&A
The Indiana track and field team will head to Austin, Texas for the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships from June 7-10. Five entries across four events will make up the IU contingent this weekend.
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The Hoosiers will compete in the men's pole vault (Wednesday), women's long jump (Thursday), women's shot put (Thursday) and men's discus (Friday) this weekend as the NCAA track and field season comes to a close.
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Returning All-Americans Jayden Ulrich, Paola Fernandez-Sola and Nathan Stone join debutants Tyler Carrel and Noah Koch. Heading into the national meet, we caught up with the IU entries to talk about closing the season in style.
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What does it mean to get back to the NCAA Outdoor Championships?
Stone: "It means a lot especially since last year I no heighted (at the regional meet) and I knew I was good enough to make it that year. It kind of felt like I had something to prove and I went out there and did it. I've still got more to prove this week."
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Fernandez-Sola: "I think it demonstrates the consistency and hard work that coach and I have been putting in. We've isolated some of the mistakes and now I'm approaching 21 feet at almost every meet. That's something I've never done before."
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How do you feel after qualifying for the first time to the national meet?
Carrel: "Qualifying meant a lot to me. Last year I had a really slow start to my freshman season last year. To come out this year and jump as well as I did, I was a little nervous I wasn't going to continue showing what I was capable of. So, qualifying helped solidify in myself that it wasn't a one-off thing. I am good enough to be among this strong group of individuals."
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To have two athletes qualify in the pole vault, what does that mean to you?
Stone: "I've never been to nationals before with anyone on the pole vault side. In the regional meet, he actually made it through first. At that point we were both locked in and comfortable enough to know we were going. It means a lot. It'll be a lot more fun and hopefully a little less stressful. I'm really excited for it."
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Carrel: "It was very reassuring. I didn't want to go alone. I really wanted someone who had been to this kind of meet before who knew what was going on and could help show me the ropes of everything. Having Nathan [Stone] go with me is a huge relief.
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Having already competed once in Austin this year, how much more comfortable are you with the facility and the track?
Fernandez-Sola: "I did want to get familiarized with the place. It was super windy that day in Austin so it won't get much worse than that. I'm very relaxed."
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Stone: "I'm more used to the location and the conditions now. That's why I really wanted to go before. It's a different track down there. We're ready for whatever comes at us."
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How are you feeling heading into the week?
Carrel: "The exciting part about where we're going is that we're going to be amongst the best pole vaulters in college at the same time. Being in that environment, you're going to be pushed to your greatest limits."
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Stone: "There's a lot of energy. I remember my previous years you can just feel it through the air. Everyone is competing the best they can. You can't expect anyone to come up short especially the experienced guys. You know you've got to bring some big poles because that high energy will bring fast speed and more strength. You've got to come out and bring high energy."
Â
Fernandez-Sola: "I think this year is easier in terms of managing expectations and pressure. Now that I know I'm earning my spot, it's less pressure. I know what I'm being asked to do. I feel like I'm at the same level as the other athletes."
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2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Schedule:
Wednesday, June 7th:
- Men's Pole Vault (Stone, Carrel), 6:30 PM CT
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Thursday, June 8th:
- Women's Long Jump (Fernandez-Sola), 9:00 PM CT
- Women's Shot Put (Ulrich), 9:30 PM CT
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Friday, June 9th:
- Men's Discus (Koch), 7:35 PM CT
The Indiana track and field team will head to Austin, Texas for the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships from June 7-10. Five entries across four events will make up the IU contingent this weekend.
Â
The Hoosiers will compete in the men's pole vault (Wednesday), women's long jump (Thursday), women's shot put (Thursday) and men's discus (Friday) this weekend as the NCAA track and field season comes to a close.
Â
Returning All-Americans Jayden Ulrich, Paola Fernandez-Sola and Nathan Stone join debutants Tyler Carrel and Noah Koch. Heading into the national meet, we caught up with the IU entries to talk about closing the season in style.
Â
What does it mean to get back to the NCAA Outdoor Championships?
Stone: "It means a lot especially since last year I no heighted (at the regional meet) and I knew I was good enough to make it that year. It kind of felt like I had something to prove and I went out there and did it. I've still got more to prove this week."
Â
Fernandez-Sola: "I think it demonstrates the consistency and hard work that coach and I have been putting in. We've isolated some of the mistakes and now I'm approaching 21 feet at almost every meet. That's something I've never done before."
Â
How do you feel after qualifying for the first time to the national meet?
Carrel: "Qualifying meant a lot to me. Last year I had a really slow start to my freshman season last year. To come out this year and jump as well as I did, I was a little nervous I wasn't going to continue showing what I was capable of. So, qualifying helped solidify in myself that it wasn't a one-off thing. I am good enough to be among this strong group of individuals."
Â
To have two athletes qualify in the pole vault, what does that mean to you?
Stone: "I've never been to nationals before with anyone on the pole vault side. In the regional meet, he actually made it through first. At that point we were both locked in and comfortable enough to know we were going. It means a lot. It'll be a lot more fun and hopefully a little less stressful. I'm really excited for it."
Â
Carrel: "It was very reassuring. I didn't want to go alone. I really wanted someone who had been to this kind of meet before who knew what was going on and could help show me the ropes of everything. Having Nathan [Stone] go with me is a huge relief.
Â
Having already competed once in Austin this year, how much more comfortable are you with the facility and the track?
Fernandez-Sola: "I did want to get familiarized with the place. It was super windy that day in Austin so it won't get much worse than that. I'm very relaxed."
Â
Stone: "I'm more used to the location and the conditions now. That's why I really wanted to go before. It's a different track down there. We're ready for whatever comes at us."
Â
How are you feeling heading into the week?
Carrel: "The exciting part about where we're going is that we're going to be amongst the best pole vaulters in college at the same time. Being in that environment, you're going to be pushed to your greatest limits."
Â
Stone: "There's a lot of energy. I remember my previous years you can just feel it through the air. Everyone is competing the best they can. You can't expect anyone to come up short especially the experienced guys. You know you've got to bring some big poles because that high energy will bring fast speed and more strength. You've got to come out and bring high energy."
Â
Fernandez-Sola: "I think this year is easier in terms of managing expectations and pressure. Now that I know I'm earning my spot, it's less pressure. I know what I'm being asked to do. I feel like I'm at the same level as the other athletes."
Â
2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Schedule:
Wednesday, June 7th:
- Men's Pole Vault (Stone, Carrel), 6:30 PM CT
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Thursday, June 8th:
- Women's Long Jump (Fernandez-Sola), 9:00 PM CT
- Women's Shot Put (Ulrich), 9:30 PM CT
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Friday, June 9th:
- Men's Discus (Koch), 7:35 PM CT
Players Mentioned
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Track and Field
Throws
/ Track and FieldThursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12