It starts with a love of shapes.
For Ball State University assistant track and field coach Sunder Nix, it is the oval-shaped track. For fifth-year senior Amber Williams, it is the arc formed when she jumps over a hurdle. For head track and field coach Randy Heisler, it is the curve of the discus.
These shapes are engraved in the crevices of their minds, run through their veins and seep into their dreams. It is a hunger that is not satisfied until five Olympic rings are embroidered on a jersey with an American flag stitched above it.
"We talk to recruits all the time and ask them, 'What's your goal?,'" Heisler said. "And we get the typical answer of 'Oh, I want to be an Olympian.' Well that's great, but I don't think the general public has any concept of what it takes. That's not a part-time job. That's not one day you wake up in the morning and go, 'OK, I think I'll go be top 10 in the world at something because I want to.' Unlike the Super Bowl or a NBA champion, you've got people who shut down their entire lives for four years. In track and field you get one chance every four years. Just one day and if you're not on top of your game that day and that attempt, well thanks for coming but that's it."
Williams has begun to follow in her coaches' cleats and chase after a career in the Olympics. After recording a 13.18 second mark in the 100-meter-hurdle in 2007, Williams chose to take a year off from participating for Ball State to train for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
"We got to the end of her junior year and it became apparent that she had a legitimate chance to qualify for the Olympic trials," Heisler said. "College track and field is not conducive for an if you polled the Olympic athletes across the board how many times do they compete prior to the Olympic trials, maybe three to four times. That's it the whole year. It's all about that one day. College track we start the first week of January and have a track meet every weekend until June. That's why many college athletes don't make it to the Olympics."
Williams' normal time would have put her in the low 20s for trials but due to chronic shin splints, she passed up the opportunity to compete in the Olympic trials and came back to Ball State.
"Unfortunately, things didn't turn out the way I wanted them to go," Williams said. "But you need to stay focused and be positive. Would I attempt again? Of course. I plan to continue training after my collegiate season to prepare for 2012. I don't want any 'what ifs.'"
Williams continued to show her abilities when she was nominated Feb. 11 as the Mid-American Conference Female Indoor Track Athlete of the Week. She was previously a 2007 NCAA All-American.
"Before she steps on that track, the race is literally over because of the presence and reputation she has established for herself," Nix said. "The other girls look at the heat sheet, and they're defeated right there because of her name alone."
Williams surpassed individual and conference bests in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.54 seconds and in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.56 seconds. She also sprinted the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.44 seconds, .01 seconds from breaking into the NCAA Woman's Indoor Track and Field qualifying requirement.
"You have to embrace that and have the ability to dominate the competition. But most importantly, you need to have the ability to bleed that attitude over to the other teammates," Heisler said. "We've tried to use Amber as much of a tool as we can, to elevate the program. We need that attitude to win. Winning beats the hell out of getting second."
The Olympic legacy for Ball State was established before Williams's time as Nix became the national champion in the 400-meter race for the United States in 1983. He won a gold medal in 1984 when his Olympic team won the 4x400 race.
"Both the coaches are extremely motivating and supportive," Williams said. "They know what this is like and were dedicated to keeping me focused on my goal."
Heisler also represented the U.S. in the 1988 Olympic team and two World Championship teams. He earned a bronze medal. He is recognized as the best dual thrower in U.S. history for his 221-10' in discus and 65-7 in shot put.
"I was a finalist in the Olympic trials in 1984, and I was the only collegiate athlete to make it into that event," Heisler said. "I ended up of 13 national teams representing the U.S., World Championships Pan American games. I got caught up in everything and finished 12th. I was 12th in the world at something and continued to compete for another 12 years. We hope Ball State is appreciative of their Olympic heritage."
Williams and the rest of the women on the Ball State track and field team will compete in their only home meet at the Ball State Quadrangular on Friday. It is the Cardinals' last meet before the 2009 MAC Indoor Track and Field Championships in Kent, Ohio.
"I would rather wrap her up in bubble wrap and duct tape so she doesn't get hurt and goes to the conference meet," Heisler said. "But she wants to run every event because it's her last home meet. We want to try and get a big crowd for the girls. And maybe if you're lucky, coach Nix might throw in a few autographs and even let you touch his gold medal."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
