As cross country season comes to an end, indoor track season starts up. Indoor track is almost like a preview of how the outdoor season is going to go. Junior Nick Girodat’s indoor season sets him up well for outdoor season. Girodat’s specialty is sprinting, the 200 meter dash to be specific. With a time of 21.69 seconds in the event during indoor season, Girodat is ranked first in the Horizon League and 11th in the nation.

“I would like to win both the 60 meter dash and 200 meter dash for the 2016 indoor track and field season,” Girodat explained.  “For the outdoor season I would like to win the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash as well as the 4×100 meter relay.”

Before his race, Girodat is very confident. According to him he “already has the race won.”

“I visualize myself crossing the finish line before all of my competition,” Girodat said. “I think about all the work that I have done and the sacrifices I have made to get to where I’m at. I also think about my family and all the support they have shown throughout my years of life and athletics.”

With Girodat’s best race being under 22 seconds long, he doesn’t have much time to think. He just let’s his body to what it is trained to do, what it knows to do. According to Girodat “it goes by in a blur.”

“Once the race is finished I let my mind rest and relax,” Girodat said. “I celebrate with my teammates and coaches by a series of intricate handshakes, high fives and hugs. I then thank any family members or friends that came to show their support and continue to cheer on my fellow teammates for the remainder of the meet.”

According to head coach Paul Rice, Girodat is a great contributor to the team. As a freshman, Girodat won the 60 meter dash at the Horizon League indoor track and field championships as well as being named newcomer of the year.

Since then, Girodat has had some setbacks regarding his health, Rice explained how he would like to see Girodat “get healthy and stay healthy.”

“Nick is one of the hardest working guys on the team,” Rice said. “He is a very positive person and always cheers for his teammates and is the first to congratulate them when they finish a race or a hard workout.”

Rice would like to see Oakland University as one of the top teams in the conference, to be “the team the league is talking about.”

“ If we don’t win the championship, we want to make the top teams really earn it,” Rice said. “We are beginning to develop some nice depth and are ready to make that next step to the top of the podium. If Nick can contribute at that level on a regular basis, especially at championship time, then our men’s team continues to climb the ladder to a top contender in the league.”

In fact, one of the reasons why Girodat choose Oakland was because it’s growing track and field program.

This was the first year that OU cross country has ever claimed both Horizon League titles. Along with building the excitement for indoor and outdoor track season, it also helps out with recruiting.

By accomplishing his goals, Girodat also hopes to run a time quick enough to qualify for the 200 meter dash at regionals as well as national held in Eugene, Oregon.

Girodat also has high expectations for his team. The cross country program brought home Horizon League Championships on both the men’s and women’s sides, Girodat expects the same from the track program.

“With the work and effort I have seen my team putting in I don’t believe there is any other team in our conference who is working harder than us,” Girodat said. “So I believe that if everyone can stay healthy and continue to work hard we will win both an indoor and outdoor conference championship.”