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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. _ Kyle Laker was in a similar position as teammate Katie Sowers as he entered this weekend's NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The junior from Wayland, Mich. had spent the majority of his collegiate career focused on basketball. After spending his first two collegiate season at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Laker played center on the Maple Leaf basketball team this fall. However, Laker decided this spring was the time to get back on the track, where he participated in the Michigan state high school championships in the high jump.
Competitors this spring would not have known he had such a long layoff. In his very first collegiate high jump event, Laker took top honors at the Polar Bear Invite in Marion (click here for related article). Just over a week later, Laker tied a Goshen College record in the event as he cleared 6'6" (click here for related article). That jump also qualified him for this weekend's national event.
"I would really like to clear 6'5" and 6'7" on my first attempt," Laker said shortly before his competition. "That will give me a decent shot at placing."
Laker's first jump nearly set him on that path. The 6'8" tall Laker easily cleared the bar and was headed down to that mat when his heal clipped the bar and knocked it to the ground.
After a misstep caused him to scratch on his second attempt, Laker was determined to not leave St. Louis without a good jump. Much like his first jump, Laker got plenty of height on his jump. Also, much like his first jump, Laker clipped the bar at the last moment. This time – as Laker and the track officials looked up – the bar shook before coming to a rest on the standards.
As Laker attempted the next height – 6'7" – it became apparent that he had the ability, but his years off had affected his technique and flexibility. Laker was unable to clear 6'7", which would have broken the school record he tied earlier in the year, and finished the meet in 22nd.
On the track, the day featured the semifinals of the 100 and 400-meter hurdles for junior Abri Houser. After late dramatics to reach the semifinals in both fields, Houser was looking to take an unprecedented step into the finals.
In the 100-meter event, Houser hung with a fast second-heat – that included eventual champion Shannon Hellman of Black Hills State – through the first five hurdles before running out of gas. Houser finished in a solid time of 14.97, but the top eight in the two heats were all under 14.65 as they moved onto the finals.
Just hours later, Houser was at it again as she ran in the 400-meter semifinals. Again Houser held close early, but four races in just over 24 hours caught up to the junior. Once again Houser's finishing time of 1:04.47 was good – just thee-tenths of a second off her school record. However, a high quality field set the pace and Houser would have to settle for 14th overall.
"I feel good about my performance overall," said Houser the next day. "I am really excited about next year and every bit of experience helps." Houser will return next year hoping to earn her first All American honor in her outstanding career. |
