CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte is pleased to announce that track athlete Michael Crouch (Yucca Valley, Calif., Yucca Valley ) has been named the InterCon Male Student-Athlete of the month for the month of March.
Crouch, a sophomore transfer student from Yucca Valley, Calif., wins the award for the third time this academic year, as he won in October and November.
"Michael exemplifies everything that we are teaching at Queens - honesty, responsibility and hard work," said track and field head coach Scott Simmons. "His development is a great example to others of what can happen when one applies themselves whole heartedly."
During the month of March Crouch won Queens' second ever indoor track National Championship. On March 14 in Houston, Texas, Crouch found himself defending the first Queens National Championship in the 5,000m event. Crouch won the event, beating the second place finisher by three seconds. His win also earned him All-American status.
After the indoor season wrapped up, Crouch took to the outdoor track. At the Stanford Invitational on March 28, Crouch set a new school record in the 5,000m. Crouch's time of 13:46.97 bettered the old record by nearly three seconds.
We caught up with Michael for a Q&A:
This is the third time you are SAM, how does that make you feel?
It makes me really excited. I look forward to these kind of accomplishments.
Can you describe how you felt winning the National Championship? How does this compare to the third place finish in cross country?
I was not expecting the cross country finish as much as I was expecting the National title. So if I had to compare, I was more excited for the cross country finish. Not to say that I am not grateful for the National Title. The first National Title is definitely something I will always cherish.
Can you talk about how you train for your event?
I do a lot of hard training. Coach Simmons always tells me that pushing myself is a skill that you learn over time. That's what his workouts teach me, to push ridiculously hard.
What do you attribute your successes this year to? Anything that people wouldn't expect?
I really attribute my success to all the negative experiences I have had in my career with getting injured and other setbacks. It all set me in the right direction.
What are you hopes/expectations for the rest of track season?
I hope to win another track title this season and run in the 13:30's for 5k
Academically, is one semester more difficult than the other for cross country and track?
Um, I think track takes a little more time than cross country just because my mileage has increased along with my work load. Because of this I have to put more time into my recovery through such things as getting more sleep and ice baths.
