Going the distance
Florida Atlantic junior Friederike Feil had to overcome two freak injuries this spring to run in the NCAA East Regionals.
Originally published on
5/28/2009
by
Marcus Nelson
When Florida Atlantic track and field distance runner Friederike Feil broke three of her ribs after wrestling with a friend in March she worked hard to get back to competing in just a few weeks.
Feil, a junior from Germany, was able to get back in shape enough to qualify for the NCAA Regionals in April before getting hurt again a few weeks ago. This time she fell off her scooter when a car cut her off on Glades Road a few weeks ago. But even after she had to have stitches in her knee, she knew she couldn’t let that keep her competing in the Regionals.
“I’m pretty excited I’m even here,” Feil said Thursday from Greensboro, N.C. , where she is entered in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the NCAA East Regionals, which begin Friday. “I did a lot of work so I would be in shape. This is the first week since then I haven’t had any pain…I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. The last workout I had was the fastest I have ever run”
Feil isn’t the only Owl competing at the Regionals. FAU’s Toyria Mattear is running in the 400 meter hurdles.
Mattear, a junior from Piper High School, also competed at the Regionals last year.
“The competition this year is very deep,” Mattear said. “I know what it takes to get to the finals and I was right there last year, so this year I don’t plan on missing out.”
FAU Track and Field Coach Alex Smolka thinks Mattera has a chance to move on to the NCAA meet in two weeks.
“I think she has it in her to run a fast time,” Smolka said. “Legitimately she has a chance to get in the top 10 and if we’re luck enough to move on by being in the Top 8.”
Smolka also would like to see Field advance, but just to be competing after her injuries is an accomplishment.
“In many ways it’s just a miracle she’s here,” Smolka joked.
Fiel qualified for the NCAAs with a school-record 10:33.82 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the prestigious Penn Relays, but wasn’t able to compete at the Sun Belt Championships.
This is the third time Fiel is competing at the Regionals.
Mattear had two separate qualifying times for the 400 meter hurdles. After winning the event at the Miami Elite Invitational in 59.61, she had a 1:00.42 at the Sun Belt Conference Championships.
NCAA Track and Field Regionals
When: Friday-Saturday
Where: Greensboro, N.C.
FAU participants: Friederike Feil, 3000 meter steeplechase 7:15 p.m. Saturday , Toyria Mattear, 400 meter hurdles ( 8 p.m. Friday prelims, 6:20 p.m. Saturday finals)