For senior Mitchell Pope, every meet is about trying to reach a new level.
This season, Pope broke the school record in shot put — a record that had been around since 1977. Then, he broke it again. The school record in the shot put now stands at 64 feet 8.75 inches.
When asked how he would try to top some of his previous accomplishments at the ACC Outdoor Championships this weekend in College Park, Md., he didn’t have too much of a response.
“Do the best I can do. I’m about tired of just putting numbers on myself,” Pope said. “I’m going to see if I can do the best I can do.”
And Pope said he does best when he doesn’t get too hyped up on one particular meet.
“I try to treat it like any other meet, so the pressures don’t get too great on me,” Pope said. “I treat it like it’s a warm up against Carolina. It really takes off some of the pressure.”
Last weekend, he set his sixth NCAA regional qualifying mark for the outdoor season with a mark of 62 feet 8.75 inches. Not only that, he won the hammer toss with a throw of 179 feet 8 inches.
Following him in the toss was senior Chris Crawford, who took second place in the event. Pope said Crawford is someone who could surprise some during the championships in the event.
“Chris can do really well in the shot and the hammer — he’s ranked third in the hammer,” Pope said. “If he just shows up and does what he can do, he should finish third.”
Another event in which the men’s team looks to excel will be the 1,500 meter. At the Carolina Fast Times on April 14 in Chapel Hill, junior Tibor Vegh took first place.
Sophomore John Martinez, sophomore Gavin Coombs, junior Stephen Furst and junior Bryce Ruiz took third, fourth, fifth and sixth places, respectively.
Also in 1,500 meters, Julia Lucas took first in the event on the women’s side with a 4:25:37 time — earning her an NCAA Regional time.
No one from the women’s team could be reached.
In the triple jump, freshman DeMiracle Washington also earned NCAA Regional qualifying marks as she recorded a 41 foot 5.25 inch distance — a season-best.
