University of Minnesota Athletics
Wright Heads to IAAF World U20 Championships
7/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS -- Summer competitions continue for the Gophers this weekend as University of Minnesota sophomore Shanique Wright is set to compete for her native Jamaica at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Wright wrapped up her rookie season as an All-American in the triple jump.
The Mandeville, Jamaica, native earned her place on Jamaica's team for the world championships earlier this summer after finishing as triple jump runner-up in the 2016 JAAA National Junior Championships with a jump of 12.83m (42-01.25).
She finished her season with the Gophers by placing 12th in the triple jump at the NCAA Championships (12.99m, 42-07.50). Wright set a personal record when she posted 13.03m (42-09.00) at the NCAA West Prelim, a mark that would also rank third among all-time Gopher triple jumpers.
GopherSports.com caught up with Wright to reflect on her freshman season with the Maroon & Gold.
Gopher Sports: Did your first season at Minnesota measure up to your expectations?
Shanique Wright: Starting off, I didn't expect to achieve so much. I had goals, but everything I achieved was beyond my expectations. I wasn't expecting to make regionals. This year was all about fixing the little things that I came in from high school with. This year was a building year.
GS: What was your PR jump at the NCAA West Prelim like?
SW: It finally happened when I had no expectations. Early on in the season, I kept thinking about wanting to reach 13 meters at this meet or that meet. When I had no expectations and thought, "Whatever happens, happens," that's when the marks started coming in.
At regionals I was relaxed because he (Bingle) was saying, "Whatever happens, happens," because we aren't expecting that much from you. I went into regionals with the mindset that I had nothing to lose. I fouled the first jump, but I told myself I was fine and promised I wouldn't get frustrated. The second jump came, and I looked at the screen and saw 13 meters and I looked at Bingle and smiled. From there, I know I was going to nationals so I wanted to go to junior trials too since I was already qualified.
GS: What was it like competing at the Jamaican Junior National Championships this season?
SW: I actually go every year. This was my first time trying out for the world juniors. Going to junior trials, I had nothing to lose. I had already qualified. All I had to do was make sure I was in the top two finishers. That meet was really hard for me because I had nationals that Saturday, I had to leave Monday, and traveled all day Tuesday. I had to practice for the rest of the week and compete Saturday. It was back-to-back competition; going to trials I wasn't expecting maximizing my performance. I wasn't expecting a PR, to be honest. My body was exhausted from nationals. I was excited I could get to 12.83m, given the circumstances.
GS: What's your mindset like going into world championships?
SW: I just want to go in with the same mindset I had at regionals. I think at regionals I had the best mindset because that's when I got the best results. I knew I had nothing to lose since I was already there. I was comfortable, and I was laughing. If I could go into it like that, trust the program, trust the coach, everything will just come.
GS: How would you describe your first year as a Gopher?
SW: Blessed. It was really a blessing.
GS: What are your goals for next season?
SW: When I first came in last September, I had goals, but I didn't know what it would take to achieve them. I will have a tougher mentality going into next year. I just need to trust the process. I was looking for quick results, but I realized it will take a lot more than that. Coming in, I wanted to work hard, but I wasn't mentally ready for it. I have no expectations other than to see what happens.
The IAAF World U20 Championships begin Tuesday; Wright is scheduled to compete in the triple jump qualifying round at 4:50 a.m. CT on Friday, July 22 with the final to follow at 3:40 a.m. CT on Saturday, July 23.
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