Feb. 3, 2010

by Phillip Long for utamavs.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - Pressure is usually felt when someone is expected to do great things. When asked if going to New York would add any pressure, junior Cordero Gray said it isn't an issue.

Senior Jasmine Walls and junior Cordero Gray will travel to New York City to compete with the best of the best at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. When asked about being able to travel to New York to compete Gray expressed some excitement.

"The fact that we are going to New York is pretty cool," said Gray. "It's my first time going. I get to go where I've never been and do what I love doing, running."

Although this meet has athletes from all over the US coming, Gray said it will be business as usual for him.

"I'm trying to win, same as always," said Gray. "I'll try to hit the NCAA qualifying marks so I can go to the NCAA championships. With them being there I can probably do that."

Both Walls and Gray will try and lock up their spot at the NCAA championships with a strong meet in New York. Qualifying for the NCAA championship is never an easy task, but Gray did it last year and fully expects to qualify again.

The week leading up to the Invitational has made it tricky to prepare. Weather in the low 40s and random showers has caused both Walls and Gray to be creative with their preparation. Using the indoor track at the Maverick Athletic Center was one of the solutions.

"It didn't affect us on Monday or Tuesday but today we were supposed to do blocks," said Gray. "Yesterday (Tuesday) it got cold when we started practicing and we had to cut some of it short."

The best athletes are able to perform under pressure. Luckily for Gray pressure is not any added weight.

"I kind of like pressure," said Gray.