By Haddy Barghouti (@HaddyBarghouti)- Spear Reporter | (Photo via SJSU Athletics)
The NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships have concluded, and San Jose State made its mark in Virginia Beach.
The Spartans’ competition tipped off on Friday, and they made their mark with senior Emilia Sjostrand, who ran 6.25 meters in the women’s long jump.
“Emilia’s resilient; she always bounces back after a disappointment; ultimately, her indoor long jump season has been phenomenal,” track and field coach Charles Ryan said. “Very proud of what she was able to do today.”
Sjostrand set a career high for her fastest time. Her original fastest time was 6.29 meters.
Day two kicked off, but it was emotional, as this was graduate student Simone Johnson and Sjostrand’s final Spartan indoor competition.
Both athletes did not disappoint, receiving Second-Team All-American honors in the competition.
Johnson said her final goodbye to the competition, running a time of 13.40 meters and securing eighth place.
“They are representing us on the highest stage there is in our game, and you know they’ve made dramatic impacts,” Ryan said.
Sjostrand added to her day one performance, as she ran 13.31 meters and secured ninth place, three spots higher than her day one performance when she finished 12th.
“Emilia has been the backbone of our program since she arrived in San Jose,” Ryan said. “She’s represented us at every national championship; she’s had the opportunity to qualify for and she always represents us.”
Sjostrand’s performance also helped her earn a call to Sweeden, where she will represent them in the World Indoor Championship for the first time.
“That’s the level of things we have going on in this program and Emilia’s always been the catalyst behind all that,” Ryan said.
The Spartans will now focus on the outdoor championship, with the Spartans having similar goals to earn the fastest times they can.
“It’s something that we’re all chasing, the rest of the team is always chasing, and for us to be represented here is something I’m always gonna be proud of,” Ryan said.
