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2013 NCAA D3 Indoor Track and Field Championships

Christy Cazzola Pulls off the Triple, Leads Oshkosh to Team Title

Christy Cazzola Pulls off the Triple, Leads Oshkosh to Team Title

Mar 15, 2013 by Mitch Kastoff
Christy Cazzola Pulls off the Triple, Leads Oshkosh to Team Title
In the last two seasons, Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Christy Cazzola has run four championship races and won four national titles. At the NCAA DIII Indoor Championships, Cazzola anchored the DMR, won the mile (also ran the prelims), and 5000m. How'd she pull off the triple?

1) Last year, you were second in cross country, won both the 800m and mile indoors, but the spring was a bit down because of injuries. How did you readjust your training for the summer and what goals did you set for the fall?

In the summer I took some extra time off and I also started swimming laps for my first time.  In the summer I went into the fall season knowing that I had a whole new training program and coach and that I had taken all this extra time off so I accepted the fact that I may not be as successful as the precious year but that I was going to try my best either way to contribute to my team as this would be my last opportunity to do so.

2) You only took a short break between winning the DIII cross country title and running the DIII 5000m record. Coming off your huge fitness in cross, did you go into the race thinking about the record?

My coach had a time in mind and I thought he was crazy, on our to Grand Valley I just happened to look up the D3 record and realized that he thought I could run faster. I had no idea but I went out there and did my best and my coach was right.

3) Four races, three events, and three national titles. Going into NCAA Indoors, what were your thoughts on the triple?

I was petrified, I wasn't sure that I could do it and I had gotten a flulike virus a week before so it made me even more nervous. I knew know matter what we were going for the gold as a team and that I would have to perform to the best of my abilities and accept how I finished regardless.

4) We only had updates via Twitter and haven't been able to find the full footage, but can you describe each race?

The DMR was really one of the most precious experiences of my career. My teammates left everything on the track to help me out so I wouldn't have to work as hard and we still came out with not only the win but a national record. It was incredible to share that experience of the national title and we couldn't have done it without each other.

NCAA Day 1 Indoor Highlights

The mile was about conserving as much as possible in prelims and finals and it was nice to have women push the race hard and make it competitive.

As the 5k approached my coach assured me that our team would win the national title and said I didn't have to run but then he mentioned a few motivational things and I planned to go with the pack which I did but I don't think anyone planned on the front runner separating such a large gap. I stuck to my plan and didn't go until 5 laps left of the race. I had to put everything on the track just to catch the first place person with just a few steps left of the race.

NCAA Day 2 Indoor Highlights

5) After the last two seasons, can you set the bar any higher for the spring?

It's not really about setting the bar higher but it's about pushing myself to be great and to strive for greatness means you have reach beyond the bar to see what is possible.

6) Off the track, what's a typical day like for you?

There is no such thing as a typical day when you're a parent or a teacher for that matter. Children are unpredictable and I have to be flexible and willing to do what needs to be done for my schooling and family success.

7) What's something that people don't know about you?

One thing people might not know is that not only did I wrestle in high school, but I also tried gymnastics. Two of my favorite sports to watch.

8) How does one acquire an Oshkosh jersey (please?)

They enroll at Oshkosh and compete with the best!

Addendum: We really just want an Oshkosh jersey for the office.


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