TRACK & FIELD

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BUFFALO, NY - Dedicated is the word to sum up senior track and field star Steve Esler (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute). He knows what he wants for his team and himself and is determined to achieve those goals. With four years under his feet, Steve is showing the country the power that the University at Buffalo has on the track and in the field.

Steve Esler

Hailing from Rochester, Esler started out at the Aquinas Institute where he held the school record for the pentathlon and high jump. He chose to attend UB for the devoted coaching staff and the renowned academics.

Most recently, Esler broke the UB record, which happened to be his own, obtaining 3,933 points in the five-event pentathlon. His confidence shone through when asked how he felt about breaking his own record at Cornell. "I knew I could put those numbers up, but I had never done it in a meet where I had five events in a row," said Esler. "I was surprised, yet at the same time I expected it and now I know I can do better because I didn't reach the marks I am capable of reaching."

This record-breaking performance qualifies Esler for the USATF Indoor National Championships in Boston. His speed helps him out in certain events such as the discus, shot put, javelin, and high jump. Esler shared what it takes to participate in a ten-event decathlon, which is split up into two days. "After the first five events, you go home or go back to your hotel and think about what you have done over the past day and work up the strength to go out the next day, when you're the most sore." Without a doubt, Esler has a love for his sport and team.

Esler is like a hidden star, waiting to be discovered. At the time of his record-setting pentathlon performance, his score ranked in the top five in the country. "When I see the listings, it is cool to see my name with the guys that I have been watching for the past few years. It helps me realize my potential," said Esler. UB's top track and field athlete has a lifetime goal to go to the Olympic trials. Right now, he is taking everything one step at a time and has not decided whether to go onto the USATF Championships after the MAC Championships, which will be held on February 28th and March 1st, 2003.

Without personal growth, Esler would not be at the high level he is at today. "I wasn't sure what dedication meant when I first got here," he said. "I had to learn to understand what it meant to do well outside of practice, like eating right and sleeping right. The coaches would talk about this, but I didn't know how this would make a difference until I realized it through experience."

"The young man has come a long way since I came here four years ago," said head track and field coach Perry Jenkins. "He has really blossomed into a great multi-event athlete. Back in his freshman year he was strictly a high jumper, but under the coaching of Jim Garnham Jr., he has really fine-tuned his skills in the multi-sport events to become not only one of the top athletes in the MAC, but also in the United States. It's a great tribute to his hard work and dedication and the leadership of Coach Garnham, Jr. to see him come this far."

After injuries caused him to redshirt his sophomore year, Esler said he came back with a "renewed sense of love for track." It was all uphill from there as he concentrated on improving his multi-event scores, listening to advice from his experienced coaches, eating healthy and sleeping eight hours each night. This focus led him to be named Most Improved for the 2002 outdoor track season. Esler believes in sharing his experiences with the younger UB track and field athletes in order for them to learn what to do and what not to do.

With one year of eligibility left, Esler will continue to work with the UB track and field team. Perhaps he will become UB's discovered track and field star and go onto the Olympic trials. Either way, his coaches and teammates will continue to support him and he will continue to support UB.

~Written by Ariella Levine