The WSSU Collegiate Invitational was the first track meet Winston-Salem State hosted in more than 30 years March 30-31.
Ryan Robinson a junior thrower for the Rams said that the support that was shown helped him perform his best.
“It was nice for us to be able to showcase our talents in front of people that we know,” Robinson said. Robinson is from Raleigh.
“Seeing everyone cheering for us made me want to compete harder and keep going.”
Many of the throwers are football players, who are using track and field to work out during the offseason and to get an extra boost during spring ball.
Assistant Coach Eric Cabbell said that the throwers competed well and he understands that these athletes are not completely his.
“We are a team where 90 percent of the throwers are football players,” Cabbell said.
“It is a privilege they [football players] can help us out the way they do.”
Cabbell said that the throwers haven’t been able to practice since spring ball for the football team started.
“We did well for our first meet,” Cabbell said.
“We have a long way to go before our next meet.”
Darryl Thomas, a thrower, said that ignoring his injury helped him perform and qualify for the finals in the men’s shot put event.
“I was not thinking about throwing that much,” Thomas said.
“I have turf toe, and I need to be cautious of my injury.”
Thomas is a junior from Safford, Ariz.
He finished fourth in the shot put throwing a distance of 13.80 meters.
“I have goals and one of them is breaking the school record,” Thomas said.
“My main goal is to help the Rams win some more championships.”
The confidence of the throwers is very high Thomas said.
“I felt good with the performance since this was our first outdoor meet.”
The runners for the men’s and women’s track and field teams did well too.
Desmond Wiggan a senior distance runner finished fourth in the 800-meter run.
“My performance was okay for my first time running this outdoor season,” Wiggan said.
“I just look forward to getting better as the season progresses.”
Teammate freshman sprinter Michael Neal had a very impressive day.
He finished first in the 100-meter run and second in the 200-meter run.
“He is an astonishing athlete,” Wiggan said of his teammate.
“I was proud of him, and I made sure I told him that.”
The women had a day to remember.
The women finshed in the top five in 22 of the 27 events.
The Lady Rams did not compete in the pole vault.
In the 4×400 run both the Lady Rams A and B teams placed first and second.
“I have been proud of them all season,” Wiggan said.
“They fell a little short during the indoor season, and you can tell they truly want to win the outdoor championship.”