On the Track: Sprinter George Erazo's NCAA Championship Diary - 5-20

Posted: May 21, 2014

George Erazo of the St. Thomas Aquinas Men's Track & Field team is in Allendale, Michigan for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Erazo will be sharing his experiences in a daily diary starting today. George races on Thursday in Heat 1 of the 400m dash which is scheduled to begin at 5:40 PM ET.

Day 1: Tuesday May 20th

It is only day one and my time here in Grand Valley, Michigan is a time I will always remember for the rest of my life. I am here for one reason, and that is to compete in the Division II National championship in the 400 meters. When I first found out that I was coming to Michigan I couldn't believe it. Is this a dream? It was a dream but a dream come true. It was one of my main goals when I came to STAC as a freshman. Now I am the first in STAC history for a track athlete not only qualify but go to outdoor nationals. Getting on the plane so much emotion was going through me. I was nervous but excited just knowing I was going to compete with the best. We finally land in Grand Rapids and I couldn't wait to see the track. Got settled into the hotel and then headed over to the

track at Grand Valley University. Walked around the track to see how much wind I may face come Thursday. I stepped on the track and my heart started racing as if I was about to run right then and there. That tells me something, I am ready. I can't wait to practice on the track tomorrow than I can really get a feel for it and be more ready for Thursday. Right across thestreet was the golf course Coach and I walked across to meet up with Mr. Oswald and President Dr. Fitzpatrick to help support our golf team as they competed for their national championship. By the end of today they are in 13th with tomorrow to come and we wished them the best of luck.

Traveling around is amazing seeing places you normal never see. Grand Valley has a huge beautiful campus. One that you can find your self getting lost in. That's the best thing about being an athlete you travel to place that you may or may not see ever again. I am trying to take this whole experience in because I don't even know if I will ever return here. As an athlete when traveling you must always take it in because you want to remember the time you had when visiting.

I go by the sayings "Hard work pays off" and "Be the proof that hard work pays off," because it is true

because I am here. I will be competing with the best in Division II Track & Field. I am not only the only male athlete from the ECC but also from the east coast competing in the 400m. To me that's living up to the saying hard work pays off. I will continue to work hard every step of the way until I run past that finish line. I am feeling really confident, determined, motivated and very blessed to be here. The main thing is I just have to have fun and enjoy. Coach Marcus repeatedly told me "Just have fun, you are here and no one can take it away from you". He is right, I am here doing what I love most what i have been training years and years for, proving that hard work and having fun pays off.

-George Erazo

Captain STAC T&F Team