North Carolina State University Athletics
Seniors Aim for the "Velvet Box"
4/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track
The three seniors who will be competing for the men at this weekend’s ACC Outdoor Championship seem to have little in common.
They compete in completely different events. One is a sprinter, one a distance runner and the other a thrower. Each one works out with a different coach, on a different part of the track and even at different times every day.
Their physical training has made them each completely different in terms of physique. One has the compact muscles to explode out of the blocks. Another is more sinewy, built to handle the wear and tear of a longer race. And one has the powerful, brawny build of a hurler.
Even their complexions are varied. Sprinter Reggie Reese is African-American. Distance runner John Martinez has a Dominican heritage and thrower Jason Jones is white.
But despite their many differences, all three have one thing in common heading into this weekend’s ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship: they all want to come home carrying the “velvet box.”
“There is a very different mentality the week of the conference meet,” says Jones. “Everybody is working together more than any other week. You’re not just focussed on what you’re doing, but you’re thinking about scoring points for the team. Usually my thought process is train to get a mark, but this week it’s train to score for the team. And DEFINITELY to bring home that velvet box.”
The velvet box is what houses the medals that the top three performers in each race receive. Martinez has six velvet boxes in his collection, while Reese and Jones are waiting for their first. Jones in particular is itching to get on the awards stand. “In my seven conference meets, I’ve placed fourth five times,” he laughs.
Martinez, who also has an ACC indoor title to his credit, said that the medals are definitely an incentive for him and his teammates. “At the conference meet, there is always more interest in what your teammates are doing. And when you’re on that podium, everyone is excited for you. I remember two years ago I was on the podium because I finished third in the steeplechase and Tolani [Akinkuotu] said ‘Hey, show me your medal.’ He saw it and he said, “That’s it. I’m going to get top three in the 100 so I can get one too.’ An hour later he finished third and got his own medal. It’s just an extra incentive.”
“It’s nice to see how you stack up against the competition,” says Reese. “Especially heading down the stretch and trying to qualify for nationals.”
Jones will compete in the shot put at the meet this weekend in Clemson, while Martinez will run his favorite event: the steeplechase. Reese will be the busiest of the seniors, as he plans to compete in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, the 4x100 meter relay and perhaps even the 4x400. “I like the relays, but 400 meters is a long way for me,” he laughs.
All three seniors admit that because it’s their last conference meet, they want to make it one to remember. “It’s not a good thing that it’s my last time competing at ACCs,” says Jones. “In the back of our minds I think we all want to make sure our last one is our best one.”
All three seniors have excelled in the classroom as well as in athletics. Jones graduated a year ago and has been enrolled in the MPA (Master’s of Public Administration) program. He and Martinez, who will graduate in May with a Spanish lit degree, both plan to pursue careers in law enforcement. Reese, who also graduates in May, isn’t sure exactly where his sociology major will take him and plans to continue to run if he’s physically able.
by Annabelle Myers
They compete in completely different events. One is a sprinter, one a distance runner and the other a thrower. Each one works out with a different coach, on a different part of the track and even at different times every day.
Their physical training has made them each completely different in terms of physique. One has the compact muscles to explode out of the blocks. Another is more sinewy, built to handle the wear and tear of a longer race. And one has the powerful, brawny build of a hurler.
Even their complexions are varied. Sprinter Reggie Reese is African-American. Distance runner John Martinez has a Dominican heritage and thrower Jason Jones is white.
But despite their many differences, all three have one thing in common heading into this weekend’s ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship: they all want to come home carrying the “velvet box.”
“There is a very different mentality the week of the conference meet,” says Jones. “Everybody is working together more than any other week. You’re not just focussed on what you’re doing, but you’re thinking about scoring points for the team. Usually my thought process is train to get a mark, but this week it’s train to score for the team. And DEFINITELY to bring home that velvet box.”
The velvet box is what houses the medals that the top three performers in each race receive. Martinez has six velvet boxes in his collection, while Reese and Jones are waiting for their first. Jones in particular is itching to get on the awards stand. “In my seven conference meets, I’ve placed fourth five times,” he laughs.
Martinez, who also has an ACC indoor title to his credit, said that the medals are definitely an incentive for him and his teammates. “At the conference meet, there is always more interest in what your teammates are doing. And when you’re on that podium, everyone is excited for you. I remember two years ago I was on the podium because I finished third in the steeplechase and Tolani [Akinkuotu] said ‘Hey, show me your medal.’ He saw it and he said, “That’s it. I’m going to get top three in the 100 so I can get one too.’ An hour later he finished third and got his own medal. It’s just an extra incentive.”
“It’s nice to see how you stack up against the competition,” says Reese. “Especially heading down the stretch and trying to qualify for nationals.”
Jones will compete in the shot put at the meet this weekend in Clemson, while Martinez will run his favorite event: the steeplechase. Reese will be the busiest of the seniors, as he plans to compete in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, the 4x100 meter relay and perhaps even the 4x400. “I like the relays, but 400 meters is a long way for me,” he laughs.
All three seniors admit that because it’s their last conference meet, they want to make it one to remember. “It’s not a good thing that it’s my last time competing at ACCs,” says Jones. “In the back of our minds I think we all want to make sure our last one is our best one.”
All three seniors have excelled in the classroom as well as in athletics. Jones graduated a year ago and has been enrolled in the MPA (Master’s of Public Administration) program. He and Martinez, who will graduate in May with a Spanish lit degree, both plan to pursue careers in law enforcement. Reese, who also graduates in May, isn’t sure exactly where his sociology major will take him and plans to continue to run if he’s physically able.
by Annabelle Myers
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