GREENSBORO - It was hard to ignore the schools that were represented this weekend during the 2010 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary Round at North Carolina A&T's Irwin Belk Track. The household names included the Gamecocks, the Vols, the Crimson Tide, the Gators and the Wolverines.
But ignore the names is exactly what A&T senior Calesio Newman did. As a result, he is headed to a meet with even more household names. On Saturday, Newman qualified for the NCAA Nationals in the 200 meters and the 400 meter relay. A day earlier, he qualified in the 100 meters, making him the first Aggie in school history to qualify for nationals in three different events. Newman is headed to nationals for the third time in his career.
The nationals will be held June 9-12 in Eugene, Ore.
"The coaches always tell us don't let the name on the jersey have an affect on our running style,'' said Newman. "They are running the same race we are."
Newman qualified by finishing in the top three of his heat. His time of 20.59 is a personal record for Newman and a school record for A&T. After the race, he threw his hands up in the air as to give out a sigh of relief. He not only has one more chance to compete in nationals, he has three different opportunities to become an All-American.
"I approach every track meet like it is my last,'' said Newman. "Every time I step on the track, I look at it as an opportunity to get better. I need to go out to Oregon, represent A&T and run fast. It's really not about me; it's about A&T."
Newman will have four others joining him in Oregon. It may not have seemed like it at the start of the 2010 track and field season, but now the legendary North Carolina A&T 400 meter relay team of 2000 has something in common with the Aggies current 400 meter relay team.
Both teams earned a trip to the NCAA Nationals. The team of Newman, junior Akinwole Jordan and freshmen Darryl Williams and Earl House are headed to Eugene, Ore., in attempt to have something else in common with the 2000 team - the honor of earning All-American status.
Sophomore Jarrell Elliott will go as an alternate. The foursome ran a 39.64 to finish 10th.
"I thought (sprint and hurdles coach) James Daniels did an outstanding job preparing that team,'' said Roy Thompson, director of A&T's track and field programs. "To take two freshmen and mold them like he did was very impressive. I can't say enough about how the kids ran. Darryl really got out today. Calesio and Earl really did an excellent job, and then King Jordan brought it home."
The 400 relay team is the first Aggie relay team to qualify for nationals since Timothy Walls, Sean White, Titus Haywood and Gerald White competed and earned All-American honors in 2000.
If Newman finishes in the top eight along with his relay teammates, or if he finishes in the top eight in the 100 or 200 meters, he will earn All-American status at nationals.
"It didn't set in until after I finished the 200 that I actually made history,'' said Newman about his memorable day. "All the credit has to go to God, my coaches and this wonderful institution (North Carolina A&T)."
