He started as a music major who had never sang or played any musical
instruments. Now he has switched to math, which seems an odd choice to the
outside observer (It's difficult, objective and unforgiving). He seems like
someone who should NOT be a math major, but I have to say, that is NOT my
call.
>From his quote about Stanford and SAT scores ("I've been fighting fears
about my SAT scores and
being at Stanford and being a math major."), it sounds like he feels like
the dunce among geniuses. It also looks like Gabe is taking summer classes
to "catch up" on required number of completed credits.
It also sounds like he is having trouble with his choice of major.
Considering that he had a spotty Spring, indeed why didn't he give his spot
to Berryhill? if he has been staying up late, training lightly, etc. He
ought to have concentrated on summer classes, getting in shape for XC (he
has eligibility, no?), and given his WC spot to Berryhill, or anyone else
fit to take it.
And you are right ... if he didn't want to give it to an alternate, his
coach should have encouraged him to.
/Brian McEwen
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Contopoulos [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2001 2:48 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: t-and-f: "Jabe's" exact quote...
If he knew he was out of shape, why didn't he pass it over to Berryhill who
has been racing fairly well this summer? Instead he goes there unprepared
and embarasses us both on and off the track. No slight to good ol "Jabe"...
but he himself admitted he was not in shape. If I was Brian, I would be
livid. USATF should play more a role in the athlete's lives and training
and should never have let "Jabe" go if he was not ready to compete. Coachy
Vinny gets a big thumbs down as well.
M
"You saw me get everything out of myself that I had out there. If you knew
my training, you'd laugh. It's been under 20 miles a week. But it's a thrill
to compete on this big stage. This was so much more encouraging than the
Olympics. I was not scared. I looked El Guerrouj in the eyes, and I was not
scared. I own him. I own all these guys. Give me two years and I'll be
wiping them all up off the track. I have a vision of winning at Athens in
three years, and the vision starts with conquering all my fears.
"It's all about fear. I've been fighting that at Stanford. I got into
academic trouble this year. I've been fighting fears about my SAT scores and
being at Stanford and being a math major. I mean, I can't count to
10...well, maybe I can, but square root of two, what do I know? I've been
studying my ass off, but I need more help with my classes than I do with my
races. I've got two finals when I get back from here. I haven't been getting
any sleep." - "Jabe"
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