It is a great accomplishment to qualify for three NCAA track and field Regionals in one season. It is even more impressive when you manage to do it in your first outdoor meet of the year.
University of Memphis senior thrower J.D. Erickson qualified for the discus, hammer and shot put NCAA Mideast Regionals at the Rhodes opener on March 18. He is the first Memphis athlete to qualify for three Regionals in one season.
"It's a big weight off my shoulders to get it over with," he said. "Now, the rest of the season I can work on improving my events and get ready for Regionals."
Coach Kevin Robinson agrees that Erickson will have an advantage by qualifying this early. He said it gives him an opportunity to relax and train that the other qualifiers may not have.
"I've never had a player do something like this," Robinson said. "To do that all in one day is so impressive and a credit to him."
Erickson has also earned a national honor. The National Strength and Conditioning Association recently named him the All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year. Coach Robinson nominated him for the award, and he said Erickson is always lifting or working out above and beyond what is asked of him.
"He is by far one of the best strength and conditioning players I've ever coached," Robinson said. "He holds the school record for cleaning at 440 pounds, better than any other athlete in any sport."
Erickson said he doesn't do anything special when conditioning. He does a lot of power lifting, pulls and squats along with running quick sprints and bleachers. While he said he is proud of the honor, it's just part of the process of being a better all-around athlete in his mind.
"You have to keep in shape to perform at this level," he said. "I don't do anything more than anyone else, I just want to stay on top of things so I can compete well."
He is glad to have the recognition, but he is more concentrated on preparing for the Regionals in late May. While he has improved his discus and hammer throw, he said his best chance at winning is in shot put.
"I just have it down, I've always performed better at shot put," he said. "I have a good chance at discus too, but I'll have to work harder at it."
Robinson agrees with that assessment, but he said with the extra time he has to train, Erickson is capable of winning all three events.
"He is nowhere near where he is going to be at the end of the season," he said. "He will be a strong contender once he gets there."
NCAA Mideast Regional Championships will be held May 25-27 in Knoxville, Tenn.
