PRINCETON: Tigers DMR wins NCAA title

Callahan back to anchor PU men’s team

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   From crutches to NCAA champion, it has been quite a journey for Peter Callahan.
   The Princeton University senior has fought to overcome injuries that have cost him a chance to run even a single outdoor track and field race since a promising freshman year. Callahan has, however, been able to run some indoor meets through the years, and he came up with his biggest performance when he needed it most.
   Callahan took the lead on the final lap to anchor the Tiger men’s distance medley relay to the NCAA Championships win last Friday in Fayetteville, Ark. It is Princeton’s first indoor title since 2002 and its first track crown since 1975.
   ”You work through those injuries dreaming of something like this coming out on the other end,” Callahan said. “I’m thankful it was able to work out. You’re in the pool, on the bike, cross training is never fun. This is what you hope comes out of it. I was really excited and happy to come out of it like this.”
   Callahan had shown flashes of the brilliance that first appeared his freshman year. Last winter, he became the second PU runner to ever eclipse the 4-minute mark in the mile, but the Tigers didn’t have a chance to run the DMR in the NCAA Championships.
   ”The first priority is to qualify for NCAAs,” said Tigers head coach Fred Samara. “Last year, we missed by less than a tenth of a second.”
   The Tigers team of Michael Williams, Austin Hollimon, Russell Dinkins and Callahan qualified for nationals this year after the Heptagonal Championships when they finished second at the Alex Wilson Invitational at Notre Dame. Their 9:27.74 clocking trailed only Penn State.
   ”We ran exceptionally well at the qualifying meet,” Samara said. “Going into the (NCAA) meet, we had very high expectations. You never know what’s going to happen. It’s indoor track. One team fell, one team had the stick knocked out of their hands. I thought my team ran an extremely smart and well planned race. The main goal was to get the stick to Peter Callahan in good position.”
   It started with the 1,200-meter leg of Williams, who has been on a pair of Penn Relays championship relays. He handed off to Hollimon in sixth place.
   ”You can’t get buried in that,” Samara said. “We needed Michael Williams to get out in good position. We have to have Austin be able to run free because he’s so tall and has such long legs. He’s the best quarter-miler in the race, but he can’t get jammed up.”
   Hollimon followed through with the top 400-meter split in the race, 46.35, to slide the Tigers up to fifth place. Dinkins took it from there for the 800 meters. His 1:48.92 split put Princeton into third place as he gave the baton to Callahan.
   ”I had no doubts that Russell would run well,” Samara said. “We’ve been building up his confidence all year long. He had the second fastest split of all the 800-meter runners. When he handed off to Peter in good position, unless something unforeseen happens, I thought we were going to win it.”
   Callahan stayed toward the front as the pack formed with a slow initial half-mile, and he remained comfortably tucked in as the pace increased over the final four laps after having been given the ideal start to his leg.
   ”It was such a perfect spot,” Callahan said. “I was excited about the position they had me in. Mainly, I was thinking about the first three legs and wanting to do their work justice in my leg.
   ”It was a good race for all of us,” he added. “I can’t say enough how much I have trust in Michael Williams, Austin and Russell.”
   With 300 meters to go, Callahan picked up his pace and as the bell lap hit, he took off to gap the field.
   ”I tried to make a big move there,” Callahan said. “I felt good. You’re always thinking that someone is catching up on you. That’s an important mentality to have. In those national meets, you’re trying to get to the tape as fast as you can. I tried to push it in and make it as good a win as possible.
   ”With 300 to go, I felt good. I was starting to gear up. I knew going into the home straight, I knew that’s when I’m going to make the move and try to go past those guys.”
   Callahan finished the 1,600-meter leg in 4:01.11. The Tigers’ time of 9:33.01 was ahead of Penn State and Minnesota was third.
   ”It’s still definitely something that’s sinking in,” Callahan said. “For the four of us, it’s been pretty special. It’s an honor. It’s something we’ve been working towards for a very long time. It’s the goal when you’re a collegiate runner is to get to that point. I’m thankful to get to that level. Now we’re looking toward next season and hopefully improving.”
   Williams is the only junior in the quartet that includes all seniors. They have been building toward a potential title throughout their careers.
   ”Winning the DMR at the NCAA Championships is something we’ve been shooting for for a long time, particularly with this group of athletes over the last four years,” Samara said. “It’s bigger than Penn Relays, even though that’s a prestigious meet. Winning the NCAA championship is the pinnacle of what a college athlete wants to do.”
   Callahan couldn’t be sure that he would have that chance when injuries cost him a chance to compete consistently year by year.
   ”It’s something that’s really difficult to work through,” Callahan said. “The main thing for me was to keep a positive attitude, stay excited for the guys and get in the pool and on the bike and hopefully be as good as I could for next year.”
   The wait was worth it, just like the wait that Callahan must endure before taking the baton in the DMR.
   ”Kind of the worst part is waiting on the sideline for the first five and a half minutes,” Callahan said. “That’s sort of tough. You’re checking in to see how (the race) is going, but you have to stay in the zone and stay focused on your job. There’s a lot of pressure. As the first five and a half minutes pass, you’re feeling it and the crowd is there and the other runners are there bouncing around. There’s a lot of pressure. What’s unique about the relay is you don’t know where you’re going to get the baton.
   ”There’s a lot of pressure and there’s a lot things to think about. This was the plan going all year. This is what we’ve done. At this point, we’re all used to the pressure and dealing with it. A lot of times, it helps you perform at a high level.”
   Peter Callahan was happy just to be able to compete, and he was thrilled to uphold his role as the anchor to the Tigers’ first indoor national championship in 11 years. It’s something that will spur him on into the spring season and something he cherishes among his track and field accomplishments.
   ”The team element of this title in particular was really incredible,” Callahan said. “I don’t think there’s anything I’ve experienced that compares to that. Hopefully we have some more big moments coming up. That’s the biggest thing in track and field that I’ve been a part of.”