Confidently poised at the blocks, he waits for the gun. A lone bead of
sweat streaks his determined face as he thinks only of running fast. The
shot rings out and he explodes with style, strength and astonishing speed.
He runs, confidently striding past the competition like an animal seeking
his prey.
In the time it took to read the opening of this article, Russell Frye has
raced into the record books, running the fastest time to date in the
Southeastern Conference. Frye, a freshman sprinter for the University of
Tennessee’s track and field team, began his collegiate career at the
prestigious Ikon Invitational at ETSU last weekend.
The East Providence, R.I., native ran the 200-meter sprint in 21.18
seconds, leaving the previous UT record-holder in his dust. He finished
second in the race only a chest-length behind Olympic gold medalist Allen
Johnson. The national competition, which included both professional and
collegiate athletes, marked the beginning of Frye’s career as a Tennessee
Vol.
Moving swiftly, as if never touching the ground, he saw the finish line and
simply ran.
“I just thought about running faster than anyone else,” Frye said.
The coaches are pleasantly surprised by Frye’s initial run and confident in
his future at Tennessee.
“This is an indication that Russell Frye can be an outstanding sprinter for
us,” said sprinting coach Vince Anderson. “His first 200 meters for UT was
by far the best 200 any Vol athlete has ever run.”
Though Frye is only a freshman, he came to Tennessee with a reservoir of
raw talent and a showcase full of awards and records. The high school
All-American won the state championship in four events and holds the state
records in the 45, 55, 60, 100 and 300-meter races.
While his accomplishments thus far are impressive, he will only be as good
as his next race. Carrying with him his lucky socks, which haven’t been
washed since the sixth grade, and an appetite for victory, he comes to his
races ready to win. It’s not only his performance on the track that drives
him to success. The hours of daily training he tirelessly endures arm him
with the skill necessary to build upon his winning precedent. Frye said he
is pleased with his decision to attend UT and grateful for the guidance
from Anderson.
“Vince has taught me things about track that I never knew existed,” Frye
said.
Eager to improve on his already impressive times, Frye spends countless
hours preparing physically, as well as mentally. He understands and applies
the techniques being taught to him by Anderson. With his sights set on the
NCAAs and, ultimately the 2000 Olympics, Frye must stay focused.
“I take it day by day,” he said, “but I never let my goals fall out of my
head, whether I am training or competing.”
As in most sports, the mental game can make the difference between a win
and a loss. According to Anderson, a successful sprinter must be tough-
minded and competitively have a thick skin.
“Russell runs his heart out. He doesn’t care that he is a freshman or who
he may be running against. He is fearless,” Anderson said.
Working through the pain of bruised shins and aching muscles all proves
worth it when Frye crosses the finish line.
“I don’t feel the pain when I run, and it is always worth it,” he
said.
Unencumbered by the anguish of a grueling practice schedule, Frye attacks
each day with confidence and a competitive spirit. In a sport where a chest
length can make the difference between a win and a loss, it is important to
maximize one’s potential on a daily basis.
Breaking records in his debut performance, Frye’s career promises to be a
successful one. He will no doubt speed past future competitors as he races
to realize his Olympic dreams.
The simplicity of track is often obscured by the technicalities of the
sport, when it essentially is the person who runs the fastest, throws the
farthest and jumps the highest that wins. Frye simply focuses on running
fast.
“We have a phrase to live by: You’ll see it when you believe it,” Anderson
said. “Russell holds this view; the winners view.”
