There is an interesting story to be found in any major college sporting event, and this weekend's NCAA Indoor Championship is no exception. While many Badger track enthusiasts know about junior Demi Omole and senior Alonzo Moore for their abilities either on the track or in the field, there is one detail that is not well known. Along with being teammates and great friends, the two athletes are also roommates. Omole was quick to point out some of Moore's positive qualities.
He eats a lot of candy and he bakes a lot of cheesecakes, but it's good,\ Omole said. ""We watch a lot of cartoons and crack jokes a lot.""
Both Omole and Moore are excited for this weekend's championship, which is being held at the University of Arkansas. While Omole looks to outrun the competition in the 60-meter dash, Moore will look to take first in the triple jump.
Omole heads to Arkansas with a mark of 6.62 seconds in the 60-meter dash, only .04 seconds off of freshman Jacob Norman who is the event leader. Moore enters the triple jump with a mark of 53 feet-2.75 inches , just over an inch behind leader Rafeeq Curry of Florida State.
The senior expressed his own confidence about this weekend's meet and what he expects.""I am very confident. I have been doing a lot of training and I haven't really been injured,"" Moore said. ""Things are working out as they should so I am very confident.""
Omole was quick to second his roommate's confidence.
""He has fought through a lot of injuries and it's inspiring to watch someone who struggles so much through injuries, persevere through all that and then perform at a national level,"" Omole said.
Moore is trying to finish his career on top, which seems fitting for him. He was an All-American in 2004 and 2005, and was the 2004 Big Ten indoor triple jump champion. He set his all-time best March 12th, 2005 with a jump of 53 feet-9.75 inches. His best jump is something that both Moore and his coaches will look for this weekend.
""Alonzo has done a great job, he is always one who has always been there when it is time to be ready to go, and this year is no different,"" head coach Ed Nuttycombe said. ""I've got a lot of confidence that he will be on his game and ready to go.""
The Badgers will also look to Omole to pull off another great time in the 60 meter dash. Omole set his personal best on Janu.19th, 2005, with a mark of 6.62 seconds. That same time has gotten him to this year's championship, and Omole knows that it's not just about representing Wisconsin, but the whole Big Ten.
""Being a sprinter, there isn't a lot sprinting power throughout the country through the Big Ten and throughout the Midwestern schools, so it just feels good to represent the Big Ten,"" Omole said.
While this weekend represents everything that both Moore and Omole have worked all year for, they know that no matter what happens Moore and his sweet tooth are not going away.
""They call me the candy man, because I always have something sweet with me at practice,"" Moore said. ""But I bring enough for everyone, so it's cool.""
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