Posted 3/23/06
UW-Platteville's Marcia Taddy won two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference track titles, taking the 800-meter and mile runs, March 4. She then won the mile run, placed second in the distance medley relay and third in the 800 at the NCAA Division III national championships. She has already earned eight all-America awards in cross country and track. The junior from Two Rivers carries a 3.5 grade-point average with a health major and minors in biology and horticulture.
Did you go into the conference meet with any specific goals?
"I want to go in to win. I had my sights set on the (championship meet) mile record, which is 4:55, and I ran faster than that this season. I thought I could do it, but I just went out too slow."
You were only the third female at UW-Platteville to win two events at the conference indoor championships and the first to win a national indoor title. Do you ever think of where you stand here?
"Kind of, but I know the team is growing as well, and I like to see that. I am aware of the accomplishments, and I'm glad I have the coaches who work with me to help me accomplish my goals."
What goals do you have left to accomplish?
"I'm going to be running until the spring of 2008. I have track eligibility left until then. That will be the next Olympics, so hopefully I can work towards that."
You started at the University of Wisconsin. What was that like, and what brought you to UW-Platteville?
"It was really different mentality. Division I is a different animal. It really is a job. You run for them. I lost a little bit of heart for it. I talked to the coaches here a lot during that spring semester (of 2004), and I just took it off. That's why I have an extra semester here ... last year, my sister was shooting free throws in a national contest in Boston, and I wanted to go watch. I asked the coaches if I could go, and they said it was fine. I just like that."
You still have run against Division I teams and have done well. Does that make it extra special?
"It's fun to bring our Division III team and show them that we care about academics, we do our sports and we have time for family and friends. We do everything other college kids do, and we don't get paid. We have a little heart behind it because we just love the sport."
You have an extremely good cross country and track resume here, and you get good grades, yet the first thing anyone does when I mention your name is laugh. Do you see yourself as someone who keeps the team loose?
"I think so, even when I race. At the University of Nebraska last year, I was almost late for my race. I was just talking with everyone and talking with coach, and the next thing I knew we were supposed to be out on the track. I still had to put my spikes on. You have to keep it light-hearted or otherwise your mind gets too into it, and it can become a burden."
How do you manage to keep it all in perspective? Not a lot of elite athletes can find that balance and be laughing and having a great time like you do.
"I just try and go about my day as any other student would. I like running, but it is just another part of my day, and I incorporate it in. I don't have all the free time that maybe other kids on campus do, but I think that's good because it keeps me in line. We go from class to practice and then we have to do homework. It's the only time. So if I can go through a day and keep everything in perspective, that's all I can do."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson