By outreach@cw.ua.edu (Hope Bishop)

Two University of Alabama student athletes qualified for the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships for track and field. Jeremiah Green, a junior from Tampa, Florida, qualified in the triple jump. Quanesha Burks, a junior from Hartselle, Alabama, qualified in the long jump.

Although this is the NCAA Indoor Championships, Green is taking the same approach as he would for any other meet. Having already competed twice in the NCAA Championships, Green said he is not trying to make a big deal out of the weekend.

“We are going at it just like a normal track meet,” he said. “Confidence is the key and just execute everything we have been practicing.”

Green’s expectations for the championship are like his preparations, business-like.

“Win, that is always the expectation,” he said. “No matter how I win, whether I can jump 72 meters or I can jump 16 meters as long as we win that is all that matters.”

Burks is off to a record-setting season. At the 2016 Southeastern Confrence Indoor Track & Field Championships, she set the school record for women’s long jump with a jump of 22-1 ¾ feet. Not only did she set the school record, her jump was also good enough to take the conference title in that event. Burks is now tied for No. 1 on the NCAA women’s long jump list heading into the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Burks is also taking a very business-like approach into the weekend.

“I am just really staying the same and staying focused,” she said. “I am not trying to look at this like it is nationals where I need to do anything different, just do what got me to this position and everything will be fine.”

Burks has also received votes for the 2016 Bowerman Trophy watch list, which is given to the top male and female athlete in NCAA track & field.

However, Burks is focused solely on this weekend.

“Just staying consistent and just go out there and execute the plan coach has,” she said.

Burks will jump Friday at 7:10 p.m. and Green will jump Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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Source:: The Crimson White Sports