N I A G A R A G A Z E T T E niagara-gazette.com
May 13, 2010
AMHERST —
Most Division I athletes are awarded scholarships based on the potential they
showed as scholastic competitors.
Others, like Grand Island graduate John Connors, earn their free tuition by
proving their worth at the college level.
Connors, a four-time all-Niagara Frontier League selection, walked on the
University at Buffalo track and field team in 2006.
His freshman season at UB was unremarkable, but he showed progress as a
sophomore before being slowed by a stress fracture in his shin. Last year, he
broke out with a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles race at the
Mid-American Conference Championship meet.
“He’s one of the top guys in the conference, one of the top guys in the
East,” Bulls coach Perry Jenkins realized. “We’ve got to give him a
scholarship.”
“It feels great,” said Connors, a chemical engineering major. “That’s
what I was working for my four years. That and winning a MAC championship.”
Connors will get that chance today when the 400 hurdles preliminary race being
contested at UB Stadium. The finals are scheduled for 3:10 p.m. Saturday.
Though he posted the fourth fastest time (53.30 seconds) so far this season in
the 400 hurdles, after freshman teammate Will Cole (52.56) and the Central
Michigan tandem of Renaldo Powell (53.12) and Branden Post (53.24), Connors said
he hasn’t put together his best race yet.
“This season hasn’t been as consistent as last year, but I ran my second
fastest time two weeks ago and I’m ready to peak right now,” he said.
“I’m looking to come out, stay focused, run my race and give it my all in
the last 150 meters.”
“He has all the capabilities to become a MAC champion,” Jenkins said.
“John has been a surprise the last four years, coming out on the team as
walk-on and really working himself into this position. I’m really proud of
him.”