VIA, CLARK ADVANCE TO NATIONAL MEET

GREENSBORO, NC, May 27, 2006 – The average temperature in Sacramento, Calif., is 74 degrees. North Carolina A&T senior jumper Brandon Via has an uncle who lives in Sacramento. Via’s head coach Roy Thompson even let it be known before Via’s triple jump event he wouldn’t mind going to California.

 But none of that was a motivating factor for Via. Via missed the 2005 NCAA National Championship Meet because he fouled on three excellent jumps. With the 2006 NCAA Track and Field East Regional at North Carolina A&T this year, Via made sure he didn’t make the same mistakes. Via along with hurdler Courtney Clark advanced to the 2006 NCAA Track and Field Championship Meet in Sacramento. 

 “It was eating at him all year,’’ said Thompson. “He keeps a lot of things internal, so he didn’t talk about it much, but you can tell it bothered him.”

 Via did all the things athletes do to prepare for a season like lift weights and conditioning, but he also relaxed.

 “A year ago I wasn’t coming down the runway with a smooth approach,’’ said Via. “Everything was hurried, I wasn’t relaxing. This year I just wanted to relax. I know I can make the mark, so there was no need to lose focus. When you don’t relax and come down smoothly that’s when you foul.”

 Via came into the competition with a sore ankle, but said he didn’t want to focus on his ankle too much and forget what his purpose was on Saturday. Via could become the first Aggie to become an All-American in indoor and outdoor if he can do well in Sacramento.

 "I never thought I would be jumping what I’m jumping when I came in here as a freshman,’’ said Via. “When I think about how far I’ve come, I can really say ‘I’ve improved a lot.’”

Clark will also make her first trip to nationals as she finished fifth in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 58.98. Clark, who broke the school record in the 400 meter hurdles at the MEAC Outdoor Championships on the same track three weeks ago, has been spectacular in the 400 meter hurdles this season. She has won the event four times and finished fifth on Saturday.

"It was real important being here on our own track,'' said Clark. "It  was a lot of help to us as we were running because our classmates were there to support us. It makes a difference when a lot of people are out there supporting you. "