Track and Field Hosts Press Conference for Big 12 Meet

Lincoln - On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Husker track and field team hosted a joint press conference with the wrestling team. Head Coach Gary Pepin and student-athletes Kim Shubert and Dusty Jonas were made available to the media. Video of the press conference will be made available on Huskers.com on Thursday, Feb. 28, here. The following is a recap what Pepin, Shubert and Jonas had to say about this weekend's Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Head Coach Gary Pepin<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

On the Huskers this weekend...

This is our most important meet for our team during the indoor season. Since about 1980 we have excelled on both the men’s and women’s side. Last year on the men’s side we tied with <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Texas, and I believe we will be right in the thick of things this year.

 

On the competiveness of the Big 12 Conference...

This is one of the top three conferences (indoors) in the United States each year. Every year there are world class athletes and national champions at this meet. Texas on the men’s side is the favorite with Texas A&M the favorite on the women’s side. The meet isn’t done on paper though, you have to compete. On the men’s side especially, I can see this being on of the closest championships in quite awhile.

 

On competing at home...

There is no question in my mind that the University of Nebraska should host the meet every year. We get the biggest crowds of anywhere in the Big 12 and have a wonderful facility. Our facility is just like what you’ll see when you run at the national meet. After being at IowaState last year, it’s nice being back as home because you have the home crowd. There’s nothing like running in Big Red Country.

 

On Dusty Jonas...

Dusty is an amazing athlete and not many people can do what he can do. Jumping 7-5 (2.26) puts you on the verge of being a world-class athlete. I don’t know how many collegiate athletes have competed this year in the high jump, but only two people have done that (jumped 7-5) this year and that is pretty amazing.

 

On cutting a roster...

Indoors we are allowed 26 athletes on both sides. Some schools come into the meet not trying to win the team title; they’re only after individual titles. We have roughly 135 kids and we have to cut down to 26 people on both sides and it is very tough. It usually takes our staff about three to four hours to cut a list. It’s tough because our very best athlete in a given field may not be on the team because they won’t score at the meet. However, we may enter four people in another event because all four will score. Our first priority is to score points at this meet. It is all about the team and we are here to win the team title. 

 

Senior - Kim Shubert (Lincoln, Neb.) - Multi-Events

How competing at home...

It is a big advantage staying in your own bed an eating what you are accustomed to eating. You also can’t beat competing in front of the home crowd.

 

How this meet is different...

My favorite thing about this meet is that you get to compete for the team. Track is a very individual sport. This is a special weekend though because you may not win your event, but you can still help out the team. We’ll have athletes in multiple events so that they can help out the team score as many points as possible.

 

On this being her last Big 12 indoor meet...

I have had such a great experience here at Nebraska and knowing that this is my last meet motivates me even more for this weekend.

 

Dusty Jonas (La Vernia, Texas) - Jumps

On the pressure this weekend...

I’ve gotten into that before (the pressure) and it gets you too wound up. I go in believing that I can win it and know that I can compete at the top. As long as I go in with my best we’ll be where we should be.

 

On the national rankings...

I don’t pay much attention to them. Last year we weren’t supposed to have a chance at the Big 12 meet (indoors) and we came in and won it. It’s just something on paper, you have to come out an compete.

 

On jumping 7-5

I’ve jumped that high outdoor, but never indoors. I treat indoor as a way to get ready for outdoors and I am hoping this means I am really on track for outdoor season. The feeling of jumping that high is something I can’t describe. It’s nice to finally get past something I’ve been after for so long.

 

Why he chose to high jump...

I started at age nine and I didn’t really start to get good until I was a sophomore in high school. It’s something that is indescribable, you are jumping that high and trying to maneuver over a little stick. It’s something special.

 

Comparing 7-5 to jumping Shaquille O’Neal

When you put it that way it is really impressive. I am pretty sure that if he was under the bar I wouldn’t want to try it.

 

On competing against Scott Sellers

It will be nice having someone that can push me. I am definitely ready for it though. I wish him the best, but I plan on coming out on top.