Taking a cross out of his bag while putting on his spikes, he kisses the cross in a ritual that lasts longer than the 6.77 seconds it takes him to run 60 meters.
Willie Green is a freshman trying to prove to both his coach and his teammates that he is one of the best.
“He’s impressed me a lot,” said Preston Taylor, a sophomore teammate. “He came in as a freshman and is already making an impact.”
Taylor also said that Green has adjusted quickly to the college level competition.
“Normally it takes a freshman a transition period to get into the grove, but he’s come out of the gate real good.”
As a runner at Butler High School in Augusta, Ga., Green was a 4A champion in 2002 in the 100m dash with a best time of 10.84 and the 200m dash with a time of 21.55.
“Winning state in the 100m and then breaking my high school record, that was my biggest accomplishment.” Green said.
Although he has adjusted to the competition that he faces, he has not adjusted to second place.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be number one, but I’m not used to getting second.” Green said. “So you know, getting second, I’m thinking ‘I got to do something to get better, something to get faster.’”
Now, there are more obstacles and more competition for Green to think about. Green said there are many things that go through his head before a race.
“I think about all the athletes that I’m running against.” Green said. “It’s a confident feeling, like I can’t be beat, even though there are people that I know are faster than me right now.”
But during the race, there is little time to think.
“I mean, it only lasts six or seven seconds, so the only thing I think about is winning.” Green said. “ I mean, I make sure that I keep my form and just focus on the finish line, that’s pretty much all you can think about.”
The quick pace of the 60m dash only leaves tenths of seconds to improve his time, but Green still wants more.
“I always criticize myself. I always feel I can do better.” He said. “My weak point now is coming out of the blocks. When you’re running in the 60, that’s the only important thing.”
Head coach Glenn Hays is pleased with Green and his performance this season.
“He’s done far better than I would had expected.” Hays said. “His 60m is far better than I had anticipated.”
Green said that he is trying hard to get over the five tenths of a second hurdle that he is stuck on, but is confident that he can do it.
This weekend, Green ran the 60m in 6.77 seconds, but is not happy with his time.
“I’m trying to run a 6.72.” Green said. “I’m trying to qualify for the NCAA, that’s my goal for this year.”
The next competition that the team will face is the Conference USA Indoor Championship later this month but not Green’s strongest event, the 200m.
“I think he is a little bit apprehensive about how to run the 200 in one lap rather than in half a lap.” Hays said.
“It’s kind of different running a 200 indoors, because the curve is so tight.” Green said. “So I’m still trying to adjust to the 200, so I can’t really expect to much out of myself in it, but I’m going to do my best.”
