Going into the outdoor season, Otterbein University track & field is headlined in the rankings
In their time with the Cardinals, junior hurdler Isaac Swope, junior jumper Richmond Honkpo, and senior distance runner Charlie Dolliver cannot stay out of the record books.
Swope, currently sitting third in the 60-meter hurdles and ninth in the 110-meter hurdles, left the OAC conference meet as an indoor champion and is eager to climb the rankings going into the outdoor season.
“Coming to practice and having fun every day is important,” Swope said. “If you treat practice like something you want to do every day, it allows me to succeed and have fun.”
Dolliver left the OAC conference meet as a champion in the triple jump and is currently the school record holder for the pentathlon and indoor triple jump. Dolliver also has top-10 marks in the 60-meter hurdles, outdoor triple jump, the heptathlon and indoor high jump.
Dolliver said mindset is a crucial part of having success and staying happy on the track. "I’m always going to try my best, I know it seems backwards, but I don’t expect perfection from myself. I focus on what I can control.”
Honkpo is the current record holder in both indoor triple jump and outdoor long jump, breaking the 54-year-old record for long jump during the 2024 outdoor season. Honkpo also has top-10 marks in indoor long jump and outdoor triple jump.
“Taking the time to really take care of my body has helped me stay healthy and perform to the best of my ability,” Honkpo said. “I stretch every night, go to rehab even when I’m not injured, and keep a balanced schedule with sleep, work, and school, which has helped me focus on myself and allowed me to be mentally prepared.”
Consistency and preparation have been the main goals that have helped these athletes succeed.
All three athletes are looking ahead to the final meets of the season, where they can make a push to qualify for nationals, with Swope being nationally ranked 26th in the 60-meter hurdles, Dolliver ranked 34th in triple jump, and Honkpo ranked 15th in long jump. They hope to end their season on the national stage.
