Experience, training drive sprinter
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
Associate Sports Editor
Senior sprinter Chris Cochran is reaping the rewards of four years worth of hard work this season.
Cochran has racked up two Big East Championships, and earned All-American honors in the distance medley relay.
"That's basically the ultimate thing to do," said Cochran of being an All-American.
Cochran ran the 400-meter leg on Notre Dame's senior-dominated distance medley relay at the Indoors National Championships. The squad captured sixth place in a time of nine minutes, 38.82 seconds, just off the school record it set earlier this year of 9:38.15. Joining Cochran on the All-American relay crew were seniors Tim Kober on the 800-meter leg and Phil Mishka at 1200-meters, along with sophomore Luke Watson running the 1600-meter leg.
"I can't say it was one of our best races, but we weren't that far off our best time," Cochran said. "Overall, we were looking to step it up a little bit more for the big meet, but in reality, it didn't happen."
Earlier in the indoor season, Cochran captured two of his three career Big East Championships. Last year, he won the 400-meter Outdoors Championship. This season, he beat out his opponents in the 60-meter dash and the 400-meter run.
Turning to his senior season, Cochran developed a sense of urgency.
"The big change in my mind is you know it's your last year," Cochran said. "Now it's do or die right now."
Cochran's been accomplishing most of his goals for the year. The biggest aim left on his list is winning a Big East Championship as a team. As a team captain, pulling off Notre Dame's first-ever Big East Championship would be a major feat.
"He leads certainly by his actions," head track and field coach Joe Piane said. "He's a great runner. He's a many time Big East champion. He'll do anything that Coach [John] Millar of sprints asks him to."
Cochran's high school career was marred by a slew of injuries.
"He came in with a lot of talent," Piane said, "But he was injured a great deal during high school, so I think that his talent was largely untapped."
In becoming one of Notre Dame's best track athletes, Cochran devoted a great deal of time in the off-season to training and practice. He also became more in tune with how much stress his body can handle, leading him to avoid the injuries that plagued his high school career.
"Weights is the big thing that's led me to be healthy," Cochran said. "I think that's also led to my body being stronger, and led my body to not be as susceptible to injury."
With the added strength, Cochran had raised his expectations and lowered his times on the track. In the 200-meter dash, he is aiming to run around 21 seconds by the end of the year, while in the 400-meter run, 46 seconds is the time to beat.
"I've always been striving to be high 45s, low 46s," Cochran said of his time goals in the 400-meter run.
When Cochran won the 400-meter run at February's Big East Indoors Championships, he ran a strong time of :47.76, but one that, in his mind, leaves room for improvement.
All Sports Stories for Friday, March 24, 2000
