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Athletes still training

Nelson: Scholarship still intact; team now full of returners

By Randy Lefko Sports Editor
Posted 4/1/20

OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High track and cross country runner Dylan Nelson, like many area senior athletes, had the best of both worlds with state-level times in cross country in November, an incoming track …

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Athletes still training

Nelson: Scholarship still intact; team now full of returners


Posted

OAKLEAF - Oakleaf High track and cross country runner Dylan Nelson, like many area senior athletes, had the best of both worlds with state-level times in cross country in November, an incoming track season full of promise due to the strong cross country season and some tweaks in form and recent state-leve times in mid-season competitions.
“I’ve had two good years of training and racing and wanted my senior season to be really big,” said Nelson, who finished cross country with a 16 minute, 29 second region finish in 18th after a state meet berth last year and recently won a Region track national team steeplechase qualifier in Orlando. “I wouldn’t necessarily say the season shutdown was heartbreaking, more disappointing because it was still early in the season. It is sort of blessing for more long-term preparation.”
At Keystone Heights High School, junior trackster Camryn Williams, who stormed to a top Clay County finish at November’s state cross country championship and blasted a recent 10-second personal best mile time; 5:14.54, just before the Coronavirus season shutdown, has been taking steps to keep her newfound speed on a good track for a return to competition.
“It was definitely disappointing when the bigger meets like FSU and Pepsi relays (at University of Florida) started getting cancelled,” said Williams. “I started to realize my season was going to look a little different then I had hoped, but I have found peace with it.”
With the upcoming track season, four track meets down, Nelson saw the shutdown with a pro/con atmosphere.
“For track guys, the break of racing gives us some time to rebuild our foundations of long, easy runs,” said Nelson, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to run at Troy University in Alabama. “I’ll keep up the mileage and do some speedwork, but basically keep focused on not getting hurt and staying on track for a return if it comes.”
On the scholarship front, Troy
University has contacted Nelson and has reassured his scholarship remains intact, but that the NCAA Medical RedShirt for seniors this year will bring a lot of athletes back into programs who were giving scholarships because of graduating athletes.
“My scholarship decision was somewhat based on where I can go and battle for a spot on the team as a freshman,” said Nelson, noting Troy had a handful of seniors who may or may not return because of the Medical Redshirt. It may take a while to get to college level times, but my scholarship is still being honored as contract.”
Williams seemed ready to do whatever she can in solo mode in abiding by rules set to protect Florida from the virus.
“I’m lucky enough that I can just do my sport with just a pair of shoes and a road,” said Williams. “I’ve simply been diving deeper in to my training. The plan is to race a couple of time trials so I have things to look forward to if the season does resume.”
One other drawback of the Virus Isolation is that new form changes and nutrition that Nelson has implemented may have to wait to garner results.
“I have had some form changes and more nutrition improvements and I was excited to see if my 3200 meter time might improve just by improving my form,” said Nelson. “If we return to racing, I hope to see if the changes worked.”
With a positive perspective outlook, Williams cited lucky that her success in sport is reliant on her own motivations.
“I have the privilege of still being able to train and race on my own with the season on pause,” said Williams. “So, while disappointing and tough to comprehend sometimes, there is hope.”