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Three track stars earn honors

March 23, 2001

The MSU men’s track team may be starting its outdoor season this weekend in Alabama, but three members are still basking in the glow of victory from their last indoor meet two weeks ago.

Freshman shot-putter Steve Manz, senior pole vaulter Paul Terek (a junior in eligibility), and sophomore runner Andy Lixey all earned All-American status at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships two weeks ago in Fayetteville, Ark.

The trio earned All-American status by placing in the top eight among American athletes in their respective events. Foreign athletes who competed at the event aren’t eligible to be All-Americans.

Manz said since it was his first time at the NCAA indoor meet, he is now “one for one.”

“It wasn’t something I expected coming into college, especially not in the shot-put, but it felt great,” he said. “It was nice to get it.”

Manz, who finished 10th overall in the shot-put with a toss of 59-10 1/4, said his performance in Arkansas has raised the bar for both the upcoming outdoor season and future indoor seasons.

“I expect myself to score into the top eight, most likely in the top five,” he said. “(Just) to get up there and score points for my team at the national level.”

Lixey didn’t qualify for the finals in the 800-meter run, but he still managed to finish 13th overall and sixth among American athletes with a time of 1:51.62.

“I was pretty disappointed with my performance,” he said. “I started my kick too late in the prelim heat. I think I could have qualified for finals if I could have gone out harder.”

Despite his disappointment in not making the finals, Lixey said he was happy with the experience he got competing in his first NCAA meet.

“It gave me a lot more confidence,” he said. “I know now I can run with anybody, which I didn’t have before the race. I really think I can run with anybody in the country right now.”

After winning the Big Ten indoor meet last month in the pole vault, Terek had aspirations of a national title, but fell short, finishing eighth overall at the national meet with a vault of 17-7 3/4.

“I didn’t jump well at all,” he said. “I got in there and I didn’t jump anywhere close to my potential or what I’ve jumped this season.”

Terek said even though he wasn’t at his best, it was great to know he can now call himself an All-American.

“That was one good point from it,” he said. “It was a mental thing to know I had an off day and I still was All-American.”

Head coach Darroll Gatson said he was encouraged with the performances of the trio, but added the best may still be yet to come.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I look for bigger and better things from all three of those guys because they all have the talent to do a lot better.”

“They just got to understand the hard work and dedication (it takes) to be an elite athlete. If they can do that, they can go to the next level.”

Manz said with all three athletes returning for the outdoor season and next year for the indoor season, the sky is the limit.

“We’ve got three guys on the national level who are All-Americans,” he said. “Things are going to look good for the next couple of years.”

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