The Unknown Competitors: 2018 Musco Twilight Invitational
To view coverage of the XIX Musco Twilight Invitational, visit here:
IOWA CITY, Iowa —The 19th Annual Musco Twilight Track and Field Meet, hosted by Iowa Track and Field, took place on April 12th at Francis Cretzmeyer Track, with opposition from 7 other schools (Wisconsin, Bradley, Minnesota State, Loyola (Ill.), Northern Iowa, Iowa Central, Iowa State) from across the Midwest converging in Iowa City for the competition.
Results to the 2018 Musco Twilight Meet can be seen here:
https://hawkeyesports.com/documents/2018/4/12//results_1_.pdf
Alongside the chance to compete against the other rival schools, was competition from some of the best in track and field, with the likes of Brandon Carnes, Aaron Mallett, and Erik Sowinski all competing in the meet professionally.
However, another interesting addition to the list of those participating in the 19th edition of this event is the inclusion of unattached competitors in the Musco Twilight Meet; which had a total of 31 athletes from both the Men’s and Women’s divisions participating with the unattached status.
For those who aren’t vehement followers of the sport, these athletes can seem like a confusing and abundant addition to a meet hosted and competed at the collegiate level.
This poses two interesting questions: 1) What is an unattached athlete? 2) What does it take to compete at the collegiate level in track and field?
What is an unattached athlete in Track and Field?
An unattached athlete in track and field is defined as, according to NCAA Bylaw 14.7.1.5 under Competition as an Individual/Not Representing Institution, “It is permissible for a student-athlete to participate in outside competition as an individual during the academic year in the student-athlete’s sport, as long as the student-athlete represents only himself or herself in the competition and does not engage in such competition as a member of or receive expenses from an outside team.”
This determines that an unattached athlete is simply a competitor who participates in the sport only representing themselves, instead of whatever institution they attend or are affiliated with.
One of these 31 athletes competing with the unattached status was University of Iowa Sophomore Melvin Ivy, who competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, running 10.85 (9th overall) and 22.19 (20th overall) respectively.
Ivy, who is represented by the Iowa Track and Field Club team located in Iowa City, felt that the meet was a new opportunity to showcase the ability that he has in track and field.
“The [Musco Twilight] invitational was a little nerve-wrecking because I wasn’t really having any high hopes from past performances, but I just had to clear my head and focus on my events,” said Ivy. “I was up against a lot of D1 (Division I) athletes who I don’t race all of the time, so I knew I would have to step my game up, especially when going up against the professionals as well.”
Ivy is one of many athletes represented by the Iowa Track and Field Club team with aspirations of running for their Division I counterparts on the University-affiliated team. But like many others with aspirations of competing at the collegiate level all across the United States, the odds are stacked heavily against them.
To learn more about the Iowa Track and Field Club team, visit here:
What does it take to compete at the collegiate level in Track and Field?
According to the NCAA Media and Research Center, only 4.8% of all athletes who compete in track and field throughout high school make it to the collegiate level, with an even lower 1.8% competing at the Division I level that the University of Iowa currently abide in.
While this seems like a major stepping stone to those who hope to compete at the Division I level someday, such as Ivy, his Club coach and Former Iowa Track and Field athlete Curtis Chung thinks that the right mindset with a good work ethic goes a long way towards achieving that goal of becoming a division I athlete.
“While it can be very challenging to transition from the level that high school track has compared to the collegiate competition, what helped myself is to stay grounded and to learn from those who came before you, like your upperclassmen,” said Chung. “It’s a big mindset change, and it really helps to trust in your coach and stay humble.
Chung, who was an All-Big Ten 400 meter runner during his days with Iowa Track and Field in the early 80’s, also thinks that with competing at the collegiate level enables skills that go beyond the sport itself.
“Competing at the Division I level is very challenging, but it gives us the opportunity to excel in different aspects of our lives that go beyond the track”, said Chung. “Some of the qualities that carry on include dedication, persistence, and having goals that you want to set and fulfill; which helps set the foundation for anywhere you want to go in life afterwards.”
One thing is for certain about the athletes competing unattached at collegiate level at meets such as the Musco Twilight Invitational; their dedication and persistence for competition in the sport of track and field does not go unnoticed.
