ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Taylor Rooney (Jr., Andover) found himself in rare company Friday night.
Instead of blowing past college competition with the fastest 60-meter hurdles time in NCAA Division III this season, the Gusties’ star hurdler stepped into the blocks next to world-class athletes at the USATF Indoor Championships.
“Really excited and a little intimidated by everything,” Rooney said.
Jarret Eaton, the silver medalist in the 2018 World Indoor Championships, to Rooney’s left, and a number of nationally known standouts filled the second heat of the 60-meter hurdle prelims.
“This is the dream,” Rooney said. “Watching those guys day in and day out, following them on Instagram, just tracking all their results and now to be here with them in the blocks, standing shoulder to shoulder is really cool to have that experience. It’s just startling that I’m even here.”
The gun sounds and 8.06 seconds later Rooney crosses the finish line in fifth place. With 22 competitors in three heats, Rooney finished the prelims in 17th place, just one spot away from qualifying for Saturday’s semifinals.
Although Rooney missed the qualifying time by just .03 seconds, taking 17th at the USA Indoor Championships is nothing to scoff at.
“My focus was to have a clear mind, getting out and running my own race,” Rooney said. “Not letting anyone else bother me whether they’re in front or behind.”
And now the focus turns back to the collegiate level where Rooney is the clear favorite to win the MIAC 60m hurdles and he’s making a strong case to compete for a national title as well.