Ed Navarro, Colorado Daily

University of Colorado junior sprinter Jeremy Dodson (far right) is seen here in action at the Don Barrett Open earlier this year. Dodson and the Buffs will host the Big 12 Track & Field Championships this weekend at Potts Field.

There are many euphemisms for speed -- blinding, blazing, fast as lightning, faster than a speeding bullet -- and the University of Colorado's Jeremy Dodson warrants them all.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Local Sports

• ROCKIES:Colorado has a surprise in bullpen
• CU FOOTBALL: Buffs get first look at freshmen
• CU FOOTBALL: Buffs head back to work

Share and Enjoy [?]

Newsvine
del.icio.us
Digg
Furl

Well, maybe that last one would be a bit of an exaggeration.

Though he may be slower than a speeding bullet, the CU junior sprinter is faster than many of his peers in the Big 12 Conference in the 100 and 200-meters, as well as the 4x100 relay. He will get the chance to prove it at home this weekend when CU hosts the Big 12 Track & Field Championships at Potts Field.

It has been a strong track season for Dodson thus far. At the Front Range Classic on May 3, Dodson set a personal best in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.32 seconds. The mark was not only a regional qualifying time, but it also, with altitude compensation, tied him for fourth amongst all other Big 12 male sprinters for the outdoor season.

In addition to the 100-meter mark, Dodson put up a season best performance in the 200-meter with a time of 20.73 seconds -- giving him sole possession of the fourth-place spot on the Big 12 performance list.

Dodson's accolades have not been limited to his times, however, as he also was voted to win the Athlete's Choice Award by his peers. The award not only acknowledges his talent on the track, but also his mental toughness and mettle off the field, as Dodson was able to maintain his excellence on the track even as he persevered through the death of a family member.

"It was surprising and honorable at the same time," said Dodson on winning the award.

There was a time before he came to Boulder when the awards and daunting times may never have occurred.

"I never really did like track at first," said Dodson. "I was always a football or basketball player; track was just conditioning for that."

Injuries, while attending George Washington High School in Denver, Colo., forced Dodson to shift his focus from football and basketball to track. So he took to track & field and ran with it, literally.

Dodson transferred to CU from the University of Arkansas (one of the best track and field programs in the country) after his freshman year. Arkansas was put on probation for NCAA violations, and Dodson could have had his scholarship taken away, but instead hastily installed himself as one of CU's best sprinters.

In his sophomore year, Dodson exploded onto the CU track and field team in the indoor season by sprinting his way into second place all-time on CU's 200-meter dash list with a time of 21.12.

He has continued that success through his junior year and has high aspirations for this season's Big 12 Championships, where last year he finished second overall in the 4x100-meter relay and third in the 200-meter dash.

"Health-wise, I'm feeling great. Confidence-wise, I'm always confident, but never over-confident. I definitely have a shot; I just have to wait until that day comes," said Dodson.

Though his focus will obviously be on the Big 12 Conference Championships and the race at hand, the Olympics could be waiting at the finish line.

"In order to win in the Big 12s, I'm going to have to get an Olympic qualifying time. If it comes through, I'm going to go for it," said Dodson.

In order to potentially qualify for the 200-meter dash, Dodson has to trim his season best time of 20.73 down to the 20.3-20.4 range. The top two ranked Big 12 sprinters in the 200 are Trey Harts of Baylor University and Chris Dykes of Texas A&M University. They put up times of 20.44 and 20.46, respectively. To beat them, Dodson must be in the range for Olympic qualification.

With the Big 12's still waiting on the horizon, and possibly the Olympics as well, Dodson has reserved judgment on the success of his junior season until all is said and done.

"Right now it's just neutral," says Dodson. "We'll see. I'll tell you how it is -- disappointing or not --after (the Big 12s this weekend.)".

Contact Eric Peterson about this story at (303) 443-6272 ext. 112 or sports@coloradodaily.com