Chris Muniz Races to NCAA DII Nationals

Any NCAA National Championship consists of the best of the best.  But being the best of the best requires more hard-work, dedication, and a great deal of focus, as opposed to talent alone.  Leading into the 2009-2010 Spartan Indoor Track & Field season Senior Chris Muniz recognized the attributes required to qualify for the National Championship--being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico--and told his coaches that this was going to be the year.  And what a year it was.

While Muniz put in countless hours on the track and in the weight room in an attempt to hit that prestigious qualifying time for his event, the 400-meter dash, he was no stranger to the seemingly impossible marks.  Last year, at the IC4A Championships at Boston University, Muniz clocked a blistering 48.29 seconds for the 400-meter dash, which was well under the NCAA DII provisional qualifying standard.  However, because Muniz hit this mark only a week before the National Championship, he was unable to go, as the DII rules state that times for indoor must be hit two weeks prior to the National Championship.
 
As a result of last year's hurdle, so to speak, Muniz entered the 2009-2010 Indoor Track & Field season with one mission: run fast and qualify for Nationals early.  Muniz's summer and fall training were very thorough and equally substantial, so the coaching staff knew that he was ready to do some damage. 
 
The air of confidence surrounding Muniz was so thick that it was almost suffocating for anyone in his presence during practices.  Additionally, however, this confidence made its way to almost every meet that Muniz competed in and, because of its magnitude, prevented him from hitting 48.85, the provisional standard.  Muniz managed to dance around that time, never running slower than 50 seconds, up until the esteemed New Balance Collegiate Invitational at the Armory in NYC on February 5th.  At New Balance Muniz clocked a 48.96, his fastest time all season.  Needless to say, this performances kept Head Coach Lou Maturo and Assistant Coach Lorne Marcus pulling their hair out for the entirety of that 48 seconds. 
 
Unwavering to the fractions of a second off qualifying, the coaching staff and Muniz sat down to discuss the next course of action.  They all knew that they had another shot in Boston, a real fast track.  Assistant Coach Lorne Marcus, the sprinting and jumping coach, said in regards to Muniz's NB performance, "Well, Chris, had been working hard and it had paid off against the tougher competition.  He just needs to get ready for Boston."
 
The Spartans had been to Boston University's track earlier in the season, and so Muniz's familiarity with the venue comforted him to a degree.  When Muniz received his heat and lane assignment, it was almost as if the stars were aligned in his favor; he was in the 3rd fastest heat, in the 4th lane.  When the first two heats had gone, a relaxed Muniz set himself up in the blocks and waited for the gun.  With the smoke, Muniz shot out of the blocks with his head down, legs turning, and arms pumping.  His fitness level was apparent as he crossed the 200-meter mark in 22.5 seconds, on pace to hit a lifetime best.  With 100-meters to go, Muniz took the lead and crossed the finish in 48.25, a lifetime best and, finally, a 2010 NCAA DII provisional mark.  Muniz, now being ranked 10th in the Nation for DII, would be heading to the Land of Enchantment for Nationals.
 
Muniz devoted four years of his life to Saint Thomas Aquinas College both in athletics and academics, and apparently extremely successful in both.  Muniz's 4.0 GPA standing can be attributed to his ability to prioritize and manage his time correctly.  As a student-athlete, Muniz, for a solid four years, understood the importance of academics and athletics and, as a result, took everything to the next level.
 
When Head Coach Lou Maturo was asked about Muniz and his NCAA DII qualifying he merely said, "I knew he could do it, he's done it before.  This year, it was a matter of concentration.  It takes a lot to be great in this sport and, this year, Muniz became great.  He'll do fine at Nationals if he maintains this momentum."
 
Composure and confidence seem to be two key words for the Spartan men and women for indoor track.  Regarding his own performance, Muniz exuded a similar amount of confidence.  He said, "It is a humbling feeling to know that you are among the top 12 most elite runners in a particular event in the US, however getting there was only half the battle. Now that I am going, there is still work to be done and, for me, that is to get All-American honors. Running legend Steve Prefontaine said 'To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.' I won't sacrifice anything.  I have one race to seize everything I've worked so hard for over the past 4 years. No matter what happens Friday I plan to leave it all on the track and capture the moment."
 
For the first time in Saint Thomas Aquinas College Track & Field history, they will be sending someone to the NCAA DII National Championship.  Clearly a prestigious honor, but certainly not misplaced.  Muniz has what it takes to be an All-American and will do what it takes to do it.
 
Muniz flies to Albuquerque, New Mexico on Wednesday, March 10th and competes on Friday and Saturday.