Q&A Session with Princeton's Men's Track & Field Outdoor National Qualifiers

PRINCETON, NJ - The Princeton men's track and field qualifiers for the 2024 NCAA Outdoor National Championships in Eugene, Oregon sat down before next week's competition for a quick Q&A session.

They were asked the following questions:

What are your emotions as you look forward to the upcoming week? Could you share your excitement?
How are you preparing for the event? What is your routine on the day of the competition?
What successful aspects from Regionals are you planning to build upon?
Have you had any previous experience with the Oregon track?
What goals have you set for this competition?

Below were their responses.

Casey Helm - Discus

I'm very excited about this next week. I've never competed in Eugene, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also just excited to compete against the best.

I'm just continuing to throw and lift as meet day approaches, making sure to fine-tune my technique and feel explosive. As for my meet day routine, I don't really do anything special. I just make sure to keep increasing my focus as competition approaches.

I had a decent opening throw at regionals which ended up getting me the qualification. I just hope to have a great opening throw and build on that.

Looking at goals, my first goal is to make the finals and then finish in the top 8. Ultimately, this comes down to competing and finding my flow state.

Jackson Shorten - 3000m Steeplechase

As I look forward to the coming week, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. I am so thankful for the way that I have continued to progress this season, my coach, and my incredible teammates. I would not be where I am today without such an incredible support system. Ahead is an incredible opportunity and I want to make the most of it.

I am preparing for the event, just as I prepare for any other meet. I've been looking to my coach for guidance and following what he says. I've been putting a lot of emphasis on the little things, such as sleeping, my nutrition, hydration, etc. On race day, I will get up early, get in a small meal, do a short shakeout run with drills, then stay off of my feet until the race. My goal is to remain as calm as possible.

I intend to follow a very similar race plan to how I ran at regionals. For the first 2/3 of the race, it is all about staying calm, aware, and maintaining a good position in the pack. Then, I plan to wait as long as possible to make a strong and decisive move. Once I make a move, there is no looking back. I found success following this plan at the Ivy League Championships and at regionals, so I plan to do the same at nationals.

Yes, I have been to the Oregon track twice before. My first time was my junior year of high school where I ran the 5000m at Nike Outdoor Nationals, and my second was my senior year of high school where I ran the 2 mile and 800m at Nike Outdoor Nationals. The facility is incredible and I look forward to going back.

I am going to take it one step at a time, but my goals are to make the final and place well in the final. I believe that if I am in the final, I can be one of the athletes fighting for a spot as first team All-American.

Competition in Eugene will begin on Wednesday for the men.

Wednesday, June 5th

8:02 PM - 3000m Steeplechase (Jackson Shorten)

Friday, June 7th

8:35 PM - Discus (Casey Helm)
*9:24 PM - 3000m Steeplechase (Jackson Shorten)
10:55 PM - 5000m (Nicholas Bendtsen)

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