43
YSU’s Neu set for NCAA nationals
By STEVE WILAJ
Wednesday is a day of rare opportunity for Conner Neu.
But at the same time, the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., is going to be a day of redemption for the Youngstown State senior hammer thrower, who missed out on the national event last season.
“I’m extremely excited because of how bad last year went and how I wasn’t able to make it out here,” Neu said from Eugene on Monday. “So just being able to make it out this year is pretty cool. I’m pretty excited to show people what I got.”
Neu reached nationals in 2014 as a redshirt freshman for the Penguins and earned second-team All-America honors with a 15th-place finish. He then failed to qualify in 2015 as he battled injuries.
Now, the Brook Park native — who transferred from Kentucky in 2014 — has the momentum in his favor.
Neu — who finished eighth in the weight throw at the NCAA indoor championships in March for first-team All-American honors — placed eighth in the hammer throw on May 26 in Jacksonville at the East Preliminary round. It notched his trip to Hayward Field, where he’ll throw at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
“I think he’s as prepared — mentally and physically — that he can be,” YSU throws coach Tyler Lippert said. “I think he’s been focused on the process all year and he’s right where he needs to be to have a big performance.”
Added Neu: “Most of my throws that I’ve had already this year will probably make top eight. So that’s pretty much the goal — to show up and do what I’ve been doing all year and secure a first-team spot.”
Neu tossed a school record-breaking hammer throw of 70.96 meters at the Slippery Rock Dave Labor Invitational in early April. At the time, that mark ranked him second in the nation among college throwers and first in the East.
At the prelims in Jacksonville, Neu — competing against 48 throwers for 12 NCAA nationals spots — notched a three-throw best of 66.73 meters for his eighth-place spot. He did so while feeling pressure due to the unique regional competition format of three throws and no finals.
“It was a pretty scary thing,” Neu said. “So I think I went in there a little intimidated instead of just doing what I normally do. It wasn’t one of my better meets of the year, but I was still able to pull it out.
“But it’s different now because I’ve made it to the dance. Where regionals is very stressful because if I fail my season is done, now that I am at the end of my season — this is the end-all.”
The buildup to this event is one Lippert and Neu planned out precisely since the outdoor season began in April.
“We’ve managed his volume with his throws and just kind of tested out different increments to see what works best,” Lippert said. “And then just making sure his body was ready for the longer season that he was about to endure. So far, things are going really well.”
And if things continue according to plan, Neu should capture another first-team All-America medal.
But even more, it’s also a chance for Neu to get accustomed to the Eugene venue — the same place where he’ll compete in the Olympic Trials in early July for one of three spots on the U.S. team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
“We’re looking for a great experience here to build on — each is a stepping stone,” said YSU head track and field coach Brian Gorby.
“We’re just excited to have someone from YSU going for first-team and a national title and it’s something we’re never going to take for granted. Hopefully he can capitalize on Wednesday.”