Alexander runs a 52.56 at VT last chance meet

GREENSBORO, March 12, 2009 – There is a different cultural that exists when it comes to North Carolina A&T track and field athletes. Director of Track and Field programs Roy “Spaceman” Thompson and his associate head track and field coach James Daniels don’t consider their athletes prized because they’re blue chips who come from some of the best track clubs in the country.

They consider them prized athletes because of the progress made once they enter the North Carolina A&T track and field program. Two excellent examples are seniors Loreal Smith and Alexandria Spruiel. Neither athlete came in with hype, but they will leave with accomplishments never achieved before in the history of N.C. A&T female track and field.

Smith (hurdler, Tallahassee, Fla.) and Spruiel (sprinter, Detroit) are headed back to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Nationals at Texas A&M March 13-14. A year ago, Smith and Spruiel became the first two female track and field athletes to earn a trip to the NCAA nationals.

Smith is a two-time MEAC indoor 60 meter hurdle champion. When she arrived at N.C. A&T, she was a first semester transfer out of Jacksonville University. Injuries plagued her early in her career, but injuries would be something that Smith would learn to fight through as she and the Aggie coaches worked diligently until she became one of the best hurdlers in the country.

“Mentally, injuries can be discouraging,’’ said Smith. “In a sport like track you have to be close to 100 percent to compete at the level you need to. But I knew I was destined to go and do great things. To be able to compete the way I have is a blessing.”

Smith sustained a right thigh injury at the Penn State National Invitational at the end of January. She missed the next meet at the New Balance Invitational before gutting it out and wining the indoor MEAC hurdles title for the second straight season. At the last chance meet on March 7, she ran an 8.23 in the 60 hurdles to qualify for the finals. In the finals, she ran an 8.22 to finish third. Smith’s 8.22 ranks her 15^th in the country and thus she will be the 15^th seed heading into nationals.

“I didn’t make into nationals as well as I would of liked,’’ Smith said. “But it’s okay. It’s not necessarily how you get there, but how you finish.”

Smith’s teammate Spruiel is another one of Thompson’s diamonds in the ruff. Spruiel was once a walk-on at N.C. A&T. When she arrived her 400 times hovered around 58-59 seconds. No one would believe that today. Spruiel owns two 400-meter and 4x400 meter relay titles. If outdoor is included, this will be her third trip to an NCAA national event.

Spruiel was also named N.C. A&T Female Athlete of the Year in 2008. She ran a 52.56 at Virginia Tech’s Last Chance Meet to give her a No. 4 national ranking.

“I’m thrilled because I finally got down to 52 (seconds),’’ said Spruiel. “I’m looking forward to nationals and I’m looking forward (to the outdoor season). I’m trying to get my time down to 51 or maybe even 50. That would be cool.”

Spruiel’s anticipation for the outdoor season stems back to last season. She sustained a hip flexor injury that slowed her for most of the season. The senior is hoping to go out with an impressive showing to add to her growing list of accomplishments at N.C. A&T.

“Coach (Thompson) tells me I have a high tolerance for pain, but the injury was forcing me to change my form,’’ said Spruiel. “But the coaches kept give me confidence. They told me to be patient. It was going to take a while but I was going to come back strong. It was frustrating because I knew I was faster than I was running. Now, I’m just thinking about going out with a bang.”