Lizzy Stanton, Women's Track and Field 2009 Capital University Graduate
Cincinnati, Ohio
I WILL continue to make track a part of my life
I WILL give back to those who've helped me along the way
I WILL take pride in being a Capital track and field All-American
Lizzy Stanton started her collegiate career walking into The Capital Center four years ago with a goal to improve both herself and the women's track and field team. She left standing on the All-American podium flanked by her teammates at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as a member of the 4X100 relay team that finished third in the nation and set the Ohio Division III record with their time of 46.97 seconds.
In between, Stanton became one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. Among her individual achievements include school records in the Long Jump (18-09.25) and the indoor Triple Jump (37-01.00). Stanton has also been apart of the school's best units in the indoor 4X200 (1:43.88) and 4X400 Relay teams (4:05.76). She is also an outdoor three-time All-American (she finished seventh in the Long Jump in 2008) and is the first women in school history to earn All-America honors. Sports information assistant Bryan DeArdo talked with Stanton about her career as well as her future plans.
BD: What was it like capping off your career on the podium as a third-place national finisher, setting the Division III 4X100 relay record, and becoming an All-American again?
LS: Going in, we came in with the focus of breaking 47. All of our handoffs were smooth, and it went great. To come out in third place was amazing for our team and me. It was also great for Kwesi (Seabrook) to see to reassure her that she has a great three years ahead of her.
BD: Talking about Kwesi and the rest of the returning girls, what are your thoughts on the program today and where it will go in the future?
LS: There's some talent that will be there for a while. As long as Fred's around and as long as the girls have the heart and the will to go and have fun then they'll be fine. Jessica will be around another year to guide them, and as long as she's around they'll be strong. I have a lot of confidence in the team. I'm so happy to leave and know that things will be better than when I came here.
BD: Talk about your career and how you've progressed over your four years in the program.
LS: I didn't know that I was even going to be good enough to run in college. I was going to go to Miami University and try out for the cheerleading squad, but after visiting Capital and talking to Fred, I jumped on board here. As a freshman, I was just learning how to be in a college program. We made it to 4X100 nationals as a sophomore. We were the 16th team out of 16 invited. That experience being there among the best really motivated to get back there.
Junior year, I kept working at it and made it back in long jump. I was the first All-American in women's track ever in indoor track. In outdoor, I made it back in the long jump and in the 4X100 relays team. Jessica and I have been three time All-Americans, and only one other person in Capital history can say that.
BD: This year, you experience some mid-season injuries that could have derailed your season. How did you overcome that hurdle and keep a positive mindset?
LS: It's definitely not fun to be injured and have to watch your teammates practice everyday. You feel helpless and bad that you can't be doing what you love and getting your team points. But I knew the whole time that I had to be supportive and doing everything I could to keep the team's confidence up and keep the team going in a positive direction. I kept visualizing getting healthy, coming in for treatments, and making sure I would be at my best when the time did come to compete again.
BD: Who are some of the people that have made an impact on your life during your time at Capital?
LS: The coaching staff at Capital. A few staff members and in particular and everyone who has helped me throughout my time here. My Capital family, the track coaching stuff, the HSPTS staff, they have all been there for me for everything, whether it has been school or personal problems. The multi-cultural affairs department has also made an influence on my life.
BD: What was your best experience as a Crusader?
LS: The best experience has been knowing that I have a family here and I know I can come back and get the same love 10 years from now.
BD: What do you have planned for the immediate future?
LS: I want to go to the University of Cincinnati for graduate school in health education. If something else opens up, though, I would be more than happy to stay around in coach in Columbus or somewhere else. We'll see where the wind blows me.
BD: Do you see yourself staying involved with Capital and the track team?
LS: I want to make myself available to them the way they have been for me. If my future keeps me in Columbus, I'd love to help out in any way possible. High school training camps, talking to recruits, whatever they need.
BD: What have you accomplished at Capital that you take the most pride in?
LS: I take pride in the fact that I was apart of this program's growth. We have so many good hearted people in this program that it will continue to get better and grow.