Senior jumper looking at a great finish to a strong start
By Vanessa Hosey, photographer
April 28, 2007 | 6:06 p.m.
Since the beginning of his collegiate athletic career, Ohio University senior track and field athlete Scott Mayle has proven over and over that he’s got what it takes to compete.
As a freshman, Mayle won the long jump title in the indoor Mid-American Conference Championships and finished 14th in the long jump in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In his sophomore year, Mayle once again captured the MAC’s long jump title in the indoor season. In 2005, Mayle managed to place 17th overall for the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Then last year, Mayle made his third trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, qualifying for the finals for the first time and also becoming the first Bobcat track and field athlete since 1998 to reach the finals in the NCAA. He came in 12th place, just four places shy of earning All-American honors.
The long jump isn't Mayle’s only event. He has also competed in the 60-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the 4x400 relay. Not to mention he was also a standout wide receiver for the football team, making him one of few dual sport athletes.
Mayle has proven that balancing two sports is possible, while also majoring in sociology, but over the seasons, Mayle has suffered from a couple injuries, many of which were pulled hamstrings, keeping him from the track.
“It’s probably from doing both sports at the same time,” Mayle said. “It’s probably from all the stress.” During the previous spring seasons, Mayle would find himself working out for both sports at once. Although it might have affected him physically, it hasn't hampered his hard work.
“Being a two-sport athlete, it can be very hard (on Mayle)," said track coach Clay Calkins, adding that Mayle has even filled in for events that are atypical of him. "But he’s done everything he’s been asked and more.
"(Mayle's) one of the hardest working athletes I've ever seen," Calkins said.
Since Mayle, a senior, doesn’t have to worry about spring football practices this year, he has been able to focus more of his time on track practices. Without the extra stress of football practice, Mayle’s final season as a college student might be his best yet.
“Each year he’s gotten better. He was great when he got here,” Calkins said, adding that Mayle’s jumps have progressed with each year. Calkins thinks this season may be very promising for Mayle. “He’s already hit the regional qualifying mark in the long jump,” Calkins added.
If his outdoor season is anything like his indoor season this year, then Mayle is destined to have a great season. In the MAC, Mayle recorded a MAC meet record with a jump of 26-01.00 and replacing the school's current record of 25-11.25, which was established in 1979 by Alfred Ogunfeyimi. Then Mayle wrapped up his indoor season by placing fourth at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, becoming the first Ohio track and field athlete to earn All-American honors since 1998.
This isn't completely new for Mayle. He has succeeded in track since the day he began his career in high school.
How it all got started
When Mayle was a high schooler back in Philippi, W.Va., he was already involved with football, basketball and baseball. It wasn’t until after the baseball coach had quit that Mayle decided to try his luck with track. He thought the baseball team wouldn’t be any good with the old coach leaving. Baseball and basketball were never a real priority for Mayle, but he still needed something to do.
Another influence in his life that swayed Mayle toward track was his mom.
“She ran track in high school, and I never gave it a thought until she said something about it,” Mayle said. This combined with the baseball coach leaving was enough to convince Mayle to try something new.
So, in his sophomore year, Mayle began the long journey of success that eventually led him to Athens. While in high school, Mayle went on to become the state champion in the 100-meter dash, the high jump and the long jump before continuing his career at Ohio University.
His thoughts about next year
Since Mayle is both a member of the football team and the track and field team, he is in a unique position in which one of his teams is accused of receiving excessive funding while the other will be cut from the athletic program next year.
“I think it’s a shame,” Mayle said of the track and field program being cut next year. “There are a lot of guys that would have been coming back next year. They would have had a good team.”
Despite this conflict, Mayle doesn't take one side over the other.
Mayle admitted that though the football team does seem to receive more funding than the other sports, he said, “There are some things that the football team does without."
Despite the sensitivity of the situation with the track and field program, Mayle doesn't seem to be allowing it to affect his plans for this season and beyond.
His plans for the future
Mayle will be graduating with a degree in sociology, but he said he definitely plans to continue his athletic career after he graduates.
While at a recruitment practice for the NFL's Oakland Raiders, Mayle said many of the other athletes practicing and one of the scouts suggested to him that he try to run in the Olympics. Mayle said he had given the Olympics a lot of thought if the NFL doesn't work out.
With all of that on the horizon, perhaps this season won't be the last time we hear from this Bobcat.