The Georgia women’s track team excelled recently at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas as they finished in third place. Senior Quintunya Chapman and sophomore Kendell Williams not only contributed heavily to secure the win, but broke records in the process.
Williams set a new collegiate record of 4,678 points in the pentathlon to obtain the win, her third NCAA individual title. Chapman scored 1,055 points from the start with an 8.33 in the 60-meter hurdles, the fifth best score in the University of Georgia record books. These records are the result of months of training that consists of weightlifting, nutrition maintenance, and event practicing.
“It was definitely a battle for Tunya and I. When you do a pentathlon you feel like you’re preparing for war and then afterwards you feel like you just went through a war, so it was tough,” Williams said. “That was the goal for both of us to score points for the team and we did that.”
Both pentathletes were satisfied with their indoor season performances, although they admitted they are eager to perfect their mistakes moving on to the outdoor season. Chapman credited the team’s chemistry to their success as well. The growth she witnessed of her teammates during her four years at Georgia proved to be the most rewarding experience for her thus far.
Williams and Chapman, along with the entire University of Georgia track team, used their indoor season success to motivate them to train even harder for outdoor. Coach Wayne Norton mentioned his goal for the team is continue this consistency and focus into the next three months.
He said there is no formula for keeping his team focused and their personal confidence has contributed to the team chemistry to perform so well thus far. “I told them to believe their teammate is the best person out. If we keep believing and accepting then that’s what it is,” he said.
Expectations for the outdoor season are high, with all members of the team prepared to contribute. Williams spoke on behalf of all runners and said the goal is to make an impact and contribute points.
Last outdoor season, Chapman scored 5,659 points in her first heptathlon and took fourth place. Williams won and set the American Junior record in the Bulldog Heptathlon and broke multiple other records last year.
Chapman was a beginner in the heptathlon last year and mentioned her personal goal is to end with a bang.
“Being a beginner to such an intense workout regimen and just an event in general, looking at the workouts was very intimidating,” Chapman sad. “Now that I know what I need to do and how I can train and that I can trust my coach helps out a little more.”
The Georgia Relays kicked off the outdoor season for both the men and women University of Georgia track teams.
