Dispatches from Eugene: NJ at the Trials - Last Look

Dispatches from Eugene - A Last Look
 

By George Kochman

 The Olympic Trials are over, and it was quite a ten days for Jerseyites. Two of Jersey’s best, Julie Culley and Jeff Porter, made it to the big dance in London later this month.

 Culley has been knocking at the door for quite a while now. A North Hunterdon and Rutgers alum, she competed in two World Championships, but when the chips were down, never could hang with the top athletes. Last week, however, she unleashed a powerful last lap, sprint finish that caught most “experts” by surprise. Where did that kick come from? “Back in 2008, I made a commitment to myself that it’s now or never. I didn’t want to go out and say years from now that I didn’t give everything, that I could have done more.”
 “Gags (coach Frank Gagliano) always kidded me about having no speed, but he convinced me that I did,” said Culley. And she expanded further, saying, “I’m older, more mature, and I started paying closer attention to a lot of little details that I never did before.” “I also have the advantage of training with a group of women who are faster milers. I’m in a more professional situation now, I’m eating healthier, and I’m really focusing on it. It’s a real twelve-month thing.” Gagliano, the Master of Middle Distance running, added, “She was healthy, well-trained the whole year, and she has a lot of heart. She competed well.”
 Culley is now off to a training camp in Leuven, Belgium. She’ll compete in a shorter race in Monaco, and then it’s off to the U.S. training camp in Birmingham, England.

 Porter may now be as famous as his brother, Joe, a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, who just called it a career last week. The Franklin Township and University of Michigan grad was a long shot to make the team. Most experts had him as a back placer in the final, at best. Now he joins his wife, Tiffany Ofili-Porter, in London. His wife, a former NCAA hurdles champ at Michigan, has dual citizenship, and will compete as part of the British team.
Porter, an NCAA 60-HH champ at Michigan in 2007, made the team with a dive at the tape, coming from behind over the last hurdle, and running a personal-best 13.08.  “I had a good start,” he said, “but the middle was a bit ragged.” Referring to the rainy conditions, he said, “if you can run fast, you can run anywhere, and my wife and I are examples of that.” He dedicated the race to his father, who passed away just after the 2008 Trials in Eugene.

There were others who came close, but did not make the team.

 There was somewhat of a surprise, as Priscilla Frederick of Paul VI (Haddonfield) and St. John’s tied for seventh in the high jump, clearing 6-0.75. “I was more relaxed today,” she said. I’m coming from nowhere.”I can do better in the future,” she said. What will it take? “Get me out of New York City,” she laughed. “I like it there, but it’s been too hectic.” She referred to the fact that she’s in graduate school, finishing up work on a masters degree in sports management, with an emphasis  on television and film, working, and traveling south to train with Jersey high jump guru Mike Pascuzzo.
I’m going back to Sicklerville,” she said, “where I can train with Mike. I’m more focused now, and I’ll improve my lifestyle, and get ready for Brazil.”

 Devon Hill is an improving high hurdler, who failed to make it to the finals. The former Trenton Central and University of Miami star is full of confidence. “I know I can be there with the top guys in four years,” he said. “I’m going back to Miami and continue to train.”

There were two athletes who were too tired to talk with the press. They aren’t impolite, they were just exhausted after big efforts.

 Justin Gaymon has been a star, first at Phillipsburg HS, and then at the University of Georgia. He gave it a great try, finishing fifth in the 400-meter hurdle final. Obviously mentally and physically spent, he needed a long time to recover as he made his way through the press area to the recovery room.

 Another was Robby Andrews, the wunderkind of U.S. middle distance running. After the trial and semifinal races, he walked through the press area and said, “I’m really having a lot of fun here. It’s a great experience.” Andrews never even made it to the press tent, as he was a very, very sick young man afterwards, needing his father, sister Kristin, and his girlfriend to get him along the athletes’ runway.  His dad, Bob, no mean slouch himself as a runner, offered this assessment. “It was really a reach this year,” he began. For him to switch events like that and make the team- well, it would have been amazing.” We all feel that this will be his event. We took the chance, and got the experience. We think there will be many more opportunities in the future.”

 Andrews will make out a schedule for European competitions later this week with coach Jason Vigilante. Many feel that he’s a year away from a big breakthrough. His mother, Mary, a star sprinter in high school, says, “Maybe two.”