LISA RISTING | staff writer
When Azusa Pacific alumnus, Bryan Clay crossed the finish line of the Olympic Decathlon in summer 2008, history was made.
This is only the beginning for Olympic hopefuls and possible future medals holders from Azusa Pacific.
Junior business marketing major Tiffeny Parker has dreams of making it to the top just like Clay. Transferring to APU her sophomore year from the University of New Mexico, Parker began running track here in the fall of 2007.
Since then, Parker has been training and maturing in her abilities and goals.
“Tiffeny has the tools and physical abilities to be competitive beyond her college years if she chooses to pursue those goals,” head men’s Coach for track and field, Kevin Reid said.
Although Parker’s goals and dreams are high, she keeps herself grounded with the tasks at hand each day.
“My personal goal is to be the best I can be,” Parker said. “So I get out here and I work hard, and where that takes me, that’s where I’m going to go with it.”
Parker also admits that Clay’s accomplishments have been a source of motivation for the track team. Clay was around Azusa Pacific helping coach the team for a bit while training before the APU Qualifier in February.
Parker remembers Clay giving her a few helpful hints before a hurdle race to qualify for the pentathlon.
“It was the first time I broke nine seconds, the time he gave me that little piece of advice,” Parker said. “It’s definitely motivating knowing that someone’s achieved so much and that you can do the same thing as long as you put your mind to it.”
However, it’s not all grueling training and conditioning for Parker. She also remembers how vital it is to have fun.
“When you love what you’re doing, things are more fun. You just have to enjoy it,” Parker said. “Being with the team, good times and stories are more important than being the best in one thing or another. I just take one day at a time. God gave me the abilities to do what I can do. So I just have to get out there and use them.”
During the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) indoor track and field championships last month, Parker finished fourth in the pentathlon.
At the event, Parker had a personal-best time of 8.89 in the 60-meter hurdles and had her best pentathlon score of 3,418.
Parker draws her motivation from the encouragement of her Azusa coaching staff and her running partner senior heptathlete Zora Golceveska.
“Tiffeny is a great example of what strong will can do and how when it is needed she can perform well under pressure,” Golceveska said.
Golceveska hopes Parker’s talents will bring her some well-deserved achievements in the outdoor season.
Parker understands the importance of taking constructive criticism from her coaches, as well, in order to get better.
“They criticize you but to the point where it’s good criticism. As long as you’re willing to listen to what they have to say, you’ll get better,” Parker said.
Although track’s outdoor season is currently underway, beginning last weekend at Point Loma, Parker is looking forward to the Mt. SAC Relays taking place on Saturday, April 18.
After last year’s invitational, which was her first outdoor, she feels she’s more mature and focused this year, and ready to do her best.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been training really hard. Hopefully it’ll pay off,” Parker said. “Just have to pray, and God will be there.”
Outdoor track and field will be competing at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational and UCSD Divisional Challenge on Saturday, April 4.
Later this month, track and field will be hosting the Bryan Clay Invitational, which was named in honor of Clay’s Olympic gold medal win.
