Candid Conversation with Marion Malone

NORMAL - Marion Malone a junior from Mobile, Ala, is preparing for the NCAA Regionals to be held in Greensboro, North Carolina on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.

“Over joyed with emotions, Malone couldn’t hold in his happiness. “It feels really good.” states Malone.

The NCAA regional is almost like the Olympic trials. In the past it used to be five regionals, but now it’s only two, the east and west. “It’s going to be complicated to qualify,” stated Malone.

In the summer of 2009, Malone participated in the Junior Olympics as a decathlete and won the second place silver medal. With that accomplishment he was the second best decathlete in the nation coming out of Mobile, Alabama in the fall of 2009.

After the regionals, is the National Track Championship at the University of Oregon. “Track Town USA.” Malone jokes.

During the regionals, Malone will compete in the 100 meter sprints. He ran a career best 10.68 100-meter dash at the Austin Peay State Invitational in Clarksville, Tennessee to qualify.

Malone’s time ranks him 64^th nationally in the 100-meter dash and gained him entry to the regional meet. He will be the first Bulldog in three years to participate.

Athletically, he has shined and improved each season. During the 2013 SWAC Championship in New Orleans, La., Malone placed second in the decathlon behind teammate Demetrius Peacock.

“We really worked hard to get our team points and it helped.” Malone commented.

“I wasn’t able to fully compete in the sprints in the conference championships, because right after the 1,500 meter race I had to turn around to compete in the 100.” said Malone. “Running the event the Mobile native ran his second fastest time of 10.83 in the 100 this season.”

Next year, Malone is going to concentrate more on the 100, 200 and 400 meter sprints. He is giving up the decathlon due to the fact that he has a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow by throwing the javelin.

“I can’t do any overhead throwing so I’m pretty much done in the decathlon,” Malone reinterted.

For the upcoming summer, Malone is going to work with his mentor and build up a foundation in sprints while participating in the trails. During the summer of 2012 Malone met some Olympic hopefuls, in Eugene, Oregon where he participated in a clinic for sprinters.

“I challenged myself to get back to the trails, now I’m one step closer,” said Malone “I met Kathleen Raske, the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at Sacramento State.”

Ironically, Malone was surprise that she coaches his mentor Jody Johnson.

“He tried out for the Olympics in 2008 in the 200 meter sprints,” quoted Malone. “I’ve known him since I was interning in Sacramento”.

While making it to the National championship is his target, his ultimate goal is to make it to the Outdoor National Championship with a qualifying time is 10.30.

“If I can get that time I will be really happy, especially with the opportunity to represent the University,” said Malone.

He is very superstitious, “VERY”. Before each race Malone does something that any average athlete wouldn’t do.

“When I’m not running relays, I wear my tights inside out; I feel like I have a better chance in my event and if I don’t have my tights inside out, I don’t run well at all,” commented Malone.

Maybe that’s something A&M fans should do. Wear an article of clothing inside out to support Marion in the NCAA Regionals.

The three days of competition will take place at Irwin Belk Track inside of Aggie Stadium. East preliminary rounds will be on Thursday, May 23^rd through Saturday, May 25^th. The race will feature the top athletes in the world, east of the Mississippi.

Qualifying teams and individuals advance to the 2013 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 5-8.

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