Freshman goes to NCAA Division III indoor track and field nationals

By Jonathon Bartczak
Staff Writer

Picture
Picture courtesy of NCAA.
University of Wisconsin Superior freshman Randy Khieu competed at the national NCAA Division III indoor track meet at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN on March 12 ending the day in 13th place with a distance of 21’ 5.5” (6.54 m).

The Brooklyn Park, MN native has competed in jumping events at track and field meets since the eighth grade. He participated in track as a way to stay in shape for football.

Khieu says that he didn’t start out doing long jump.

“My first and main event was the high jump. I went to state in it my junior year. Then after my winter training started senior year, I switched to long jump because I knew I could go farther and do more in it,” he said.

Khieu attributes a lot of the success he has had to his coach Brian Schletty. Schletty has coached Khieu for the past three years, and Khieu says that the success that he has had over these three years is because of the advice that Schletty gives him.

“He helps me through everything and with all my training. He's the most knowledgeable coach I know in the jumps and sprints.”

Along with good coaching Khieu says that the key to being good at something is dedication.

“I'm where I am today because of them (coaches), but also because of my dedication for this sport and event. I hate missing workouts and not following through with my program. I work hard everyday I'm on the track and in the weight room. I workout when no one else is, being and staying consist. I believe that to get where you want, you have to want it and be willing to do whatever for it and if that means working out on Thanksgiving, Christmas, whenever,” said Khieu.

As Khieu is only a freshman, he has many more things ahead of him in the sport. This is just the end of the indoor season but soon the outdoor track season begins and Khieu says with a new season comes a different set of goals.

“I look forward to outdoor season. I plan to improve my distance and make nationals for outdoor and win conference.”

Khieu isn’t just limiting himself with that goal, though. He also plans on making his presence know on the international stage.

“I also want to hit the qualifying mark for junior nationals. Then do well at juniors and represent the U.S. at the World Championships in Canada this summer since I'm still young and eligible.”