When talk turns to Wisconsin men's track, the team's sprinters and distance squads-led by stars such as Demi Omole and Matt Tegenkamp-often get most of the attention and it is easy to see why. But a valuable contributor to the team's success this season is its outstanding collection of jumpers. This was never more apparent than in the team's recent Big Ten Indoor Title, where the jumpers played a critical role. Despite this being their fifth consecutive title, the Badgers do not take any of their success for granted.
\It was really nice to win another one. It never gets old,"" junior triple jumper Rick Bellford said, who placed third in the event with a mark of 50' 5.4'.
Despite some jumpers having subpar outings, they still racked up critical points for the team. ""I would have liked to jump a little better, but as long as we get the team title, that is all that matters,"" Bellford said.
One of the team's star jumpers, junior Joe Conway, was one such performer who did not have one of his usually strong outings. However, when someone in the group is not on top of his game, a teammate always seems to step up in his place. Last weekend that man was junior Alonzo Moore. Mark Napier, assistant coach, called him the ""hero of the meet.""
Moore came back from injury to have one of his finest performances as a Badger.
""The biggest surprise [of the meet] was Alonzo because like three weeks ago he could hardly even walk, we weren't even sure he was going to be able to compete,"" Napier said. ""That's part of our team; they feel like they put on the Superman jersey during the Big Ten meet."" Even Moore himself was surprised with how well he did.
""I've been sitting out for a long time so I mean I expected to do well but not as well as I actually did,"" Moore said.
At the conference championship, Moore placed third in the long jump with a distance of 7.36m and placed 2nd in the triple jump with a personal best of 15.86m, a distance good enough for a NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Plagued by injuries during his career, Moore was pleased with his recent performance, but feels when completely healthy, he is capable of much more.
""Overall, I am happy with it, but I know I can do better. I feel faster but the power is not there. My main thing is to stay healthy, I know that by staying healthy my jumps will be a lot further,"" said Moore.
Despite their uneven performance at the Indoors, Napier likes where the group is headed and expects big things for the rest of the season. ""The guys look good, they're fit, they're healthy,"" Napier said of the team's status, ""We have a team goal to be top four at nationals, [which] would be a great mark for us.""
Napier explained while track is definitely a team sport, national meets are often won on great individual performances.
""Nationals are not about depth in our sport, it's about individuals performing at the highest level,"" Napier said. ""It's not always the best team that wins, but the best team with the highest calibur individuals.""
Although many of the Badgers minds are focused on Nationals, no one is forgetting about the Big Ten Triple Crown, an accomplishment that Wisconsin has achieved six of the last nine years. The Triple Crown consists of conference titles in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track during the same academic year. Moore commented ""that is always something we look to get.""
How does Napier feel this squad stacks up against his past groups?
""I think potentially we have as good a jump crew as we have ever had, this would rank up with some of the best of them. We have a lot of potential. We are still a young group, with all of them having eligibility left next year,"" he said.
With such a young and talented group, the Badgers jumpers appear poised for good things in the present and for years to come.
