Seniors (Mount Sidney, Va./Fort Defiance) and (Perkasie, Pa./Christopher Dock) each put in impressive performances at this past weekend鈥檚 ODAC Championships in Salem, Va. With the feat, the two have notched a spot this week as Co-Royals Athlete of the Week.
Thibodeaux聽handily took first place in the 3000m, setting a meet record in claiming the ODAC title. He claimed a time of 8:40.89, which was a full four seconds better than the previous meet record and nearly nine seconds ahead of the second-place finisher in the race. He聽also earned All-ODAC Third Team honors in the 5000m, breaking his own 黑料正能量 record in 15:23.83.
Denlinger won two All-ODAC Second Team spots in his individual races. He finished with a time of 1:56.86 in the 800m, just 0.30 behind the first-place finisher. In the mile, he聽broke the school record with a time of 4:19.08, and also broke the meet record, along with the first-place finisher. He also won gold with the 4×400 relay team.
Denlinger聽felt much more聽confident after his stellar performances.
鈥淥verall this meet was a great success for me,鈥� he聽said. 鈥淯p until this weekend, I had been slightly disappointed with how my season had been going. I feel that this past Sunday gave a glimpse into what I am capable of, and that energizes me.鈥�
鈥淭o me, winning is one of the most enjoyable things in track and field,鈥� said聽Thibodeaux. 鈥淭o be able to say that you were better than everyone on that day is special and when that comes at the conference meet, it is even sweeter.鈥�
With the indoor season coming to a close and the outdoor season soon ahead, both Denlinger聽and Thibodeaux feel that the energy聽built at the ODAC Indoor Championships will help springboard their outdoor seasons.
鈥淚 am riding a lot of momentum right now which is one of the most important things in a sport like this,鈥� Thibodeaux聽said. 鈥淭he outdoor season is the time to translate the momentum and fitness gains into huge breakthrough performances.鈥�
Denlinger聽also puts a lot of stock into the emotional momentum that having big performances can have on a runner.
鈥淧hysical momentum and emotional momentum can carry equal weight in the life of a runner,鈥� he聽explained. 鈥淪o I recognized how huge this weekend was in giving me the confidence to succeed.鈥�
The two will compete in the Tufts Final Qualifying Meet this weekend in Medford, Massachusetts.
鈥淚n a last chance meet this weekend we will attempt to qualify a relay for nationals, and I feel confident that we can do it,鈥� Denlinger聽said. 鈥淭he pieces all seem to be sliding into place at the right time.鈥�
After the records broken and the races won over the weekend, on top of a strong season, these two have made lasting impressions in the record books.