Dickinson To Compete With United States' Junior National Team
Aug. 7, 2001
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers' Ian Dickinson has been chosen as a member of the United States' Junior National track and field team that will compete against England in a dual meet later this month. The championships will be held August 18th just outside of Manchester, England.
"I was shocked at first when I found out I made the team," Dickinson said. "After it sank in, I was thrilled. Getting the chance to represent my country and compete at the international level is terrific. I am really looking forward to the whole experience."
Dickinson becomes the first Charlotte track and field team member to earn a spot on the USA Junior National team. His selection is an indicator of the progress the track program has made in recent years. He joins recent NCAA track All-Americans Rephel Martin and Will Montgomery, cross country All-American Kenneth Svendsen and Liberian Olympian Koiyan Morlu as 49ers who have reached national and international status in the last two years.
Dickinson earned a spot on the team with a third-place finish in the 5,000-meter run at June's junior nationals in Richmond, Va. He posted a time of 14:44.69 to finish as the first alternate behind Stanford runners Ian Dobson and Christopher Emme. Then, last week he moved into the lineup after Dobson chose to sit out with an injury.
Although, he ran in the 5,000 at junior nationals, Dickinson will run in the 3,000 in England. He will leave for the United Kingdom Aug. 15. After the meet on the 18th, he will return to Charlotte in time for the start of classes, which begin on the 20th.
"Ian is capitalizing on a great opportunity to earn some international experience as a member of the USA Junior team," associate track coach Robert Olesen said. "Athletes that make an international trip like this as juniors (under 20) get a glimpse of the big picture of our sport that is so popular world wide.
"Every athlete I've worked with that makes this team returns with a whole new perspective and motivation to reach the national level. They seem to mature overnight and approach their training, and lives in general, more seriously."
During the school year, Dickinson was one of the 49ers' top distance runners. He was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year for cross country. On the track, he helped Charlotte earn its first league title with eighth-place finishes in the mile run and 3,000-meter run at the C-USA Indoor Championships.
|
|
 |
