Hassan Mead Has Overcome Many Obstacles Over This Last Year

Oct. 12, 2011

Has there ever been a time in your life where you were the best athlete on your a team? What about a time you dominated the competition and you were just competing against yourself? Now imagine yourself being the best runner within the NCAA for three seasons, until suffering an Achilles and lung injury your senior season. Well, welcome to the world of senior All-American Hassan Mead, of the University of Minnesota's Track & Field and Cross Country program.

During the first three years of Mead's collegiate running experience, he was on top of the world. He was the first runner in Gopher history to become an All-American in his freshman season. Mead also captured the NCAA Midwest Region title in his sophomore season, which lead the Gophers to a top 25 placing in the NCAA championship, along with becoming the second three-time All-American in Gopher history.

In 2010(senior year), Mead was hoping to go out on top until he suffered an Achilles tendon injury and lung problem through out the whole year. Unable to perform to the best of his abilities last season, Mead was forced to red-shirt and miss out on the cross country and most of the track & field season.

This year in 2011, Mead is poised to make a comeback for his senior season and regain his titles. Using 2010 as a rehabilitation time, Mead faced numerous struggles in getting his body back in shape. When asked what the most difficult thing was during this hard time, Mead says it was mainly figuring out how to handle the injury.

"Dealing with the Achilles was the most frustrating and difficult part about the rehab process," Mead said. "Not knowing when it was going to start healing again, because it's one of those injuries you have no control over."

Not only did Mead use this time to rest, but he also had a chance in becoming a regular student.

"Everybody thought that I was depressed," Mead said. "But I was enjoying not having to go to three hour practices and staying home to get some sleep."

Only getting a taste of the indoor track season Mead was able compete for a small time before shutting it down for the rest of the year. That is when he finally saw himself on the outside looking in, from the NCAA Championships. It was the first time in his career where he did not make it to the NCAA Championship Finals.

"It was a shock not to make it to NCAA Championships and it woke me," Mead said. "So I took advantage of the rehab and decided to rehab smart with the medical staff here."

Using the medical staff within the Gophers program, Mead was able rehab correctly to get ready for the 2011 season. His expectations for 2011 grew a great deal after getting off to a good start this cross country season. This year, Mead finished third at The 26^th Roy Griak Invitational and is preparing for this Friday's Wisconsin Adidas Invitational, in Madison, Wis. 40 teams will be competing this Friday, with 20 of them being ranked in the top 30 in the country.

"There are going to be some heavy hitting at this meet," Mead said. "This course doesn't have as many hills as ours, so that is going to make it a faster course."

Having a taste of success in the past only fuels the fire for the future as Mead is hoping to help the Gopher men's cross country team return to the top. So far things are looking good for Mead and company as they are ranked No. 17 in the country.

Steve Plasencia, who is Mead's head coach for both cross country and track & field, is very happy with how he has fought through the injuries. Plasencia noted that the All-American is a very special athlete to the program.

"Hassan has been at a high level for our program when he competes," Plasencia said. "He always makes everyone around him feel good and that is a quality that not many people have, which are the kinds of things that make him special athlete."

Looking back on within his career, Mead is happy with his accomplishments, but still knows he has a lot to finish. Mead has already received a degree in Communications and is currently enrolled in graduate school. After it is all said and done, Mead wants to run professionally against other athletes in the world. He has endured a lot over the past 12 months, but is ready to finish strong. A setback is a great way for a comeback and with the talent that Hassan Mead has, he is primed for a huge comeback.

By Athletic Communications Student Assistant Marvin Banks

-UM-

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