TCU frogs ready for last leap
“A COLLEGE degree is not a sign of a finished product, but an indication a person is prepared for life.”
That quote came from the esteemed mind of Edward Malloy, a reverend in the Catholic Church in the United States of America and former president of the University Notre Damme.
The quotation is understood to have been extracted from one of Malloy’s commencement speeches during his stint at the prestigious university between 1987 and 2005.
These words are most likely to strike a cord with the Zimbabwe duo of Chengetayi Mapaya and Tinotenda Matiyenga, who are nearing the end of their stay at Texas Christian University (TCU).
Mapaya is a former triple jump champion, while Matiyenga is a short-distance runner.,
With the NCAA Track and Field Indoor season done and dusted, Sunday Mail Sport caught up with the two to talk about their recent performances, life as a “TCU frog’’ and their plans for the future.
Although they did not get the finish they would have hoped for, Mapaya and Matiyenga have managed to see the bright side of their recent performances at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama.
These were their swansong events of the indoor season, as the duo will be graduating soon and moving on to bigger and better things.
Mapaya’s 16,51-metre jump and Matiyenga’s 20.84 seconds could only garner them a third-place finish in the triple jump and 200-metre competitions respectively.
“It wasn’t the finish I wanted, but to finally make it to the podium was a great finish,” said Booster, as Matiyenga is affectionately known in athletics.
“Everyone lines up to win their race, but making it to the podium comes with its own validation.
“I am certainly moving in the right direction, especially after coming up short a couple of times.
“It was a really good feeling,” he said.
Mapaya agrees.
“As an athlete, you never go into a competition and want to come anything other than first place.
“Still, it was a blessing for me just to be at the national championships after having a serious injury at the back end of last year,” he said.
“I was mad that I didn’t win at first, but then spoke to my coach and physiotherapist who helped me put things into perspective.
“While not the result I wanted, I made it to the games and actually made it to the podium.”
The significance of the moment, the completion of the indoor season, has hit both athletes hard, albeit in different ways, what with graduation set for May.
“I am very much aware that I will be done with school come May, and to be honest, I am really excited to be approaching the end of this chapter in my life.
“I want to turn professional and just focus on triple jump without the distraction from schoolwork and lessons.
“The goal is to wrap up the outdoor season and then graduate so I can start focusing on my craft and become a great triple jumper,” Mapaya said.
Despite enjoying himself, Matiyenga is aware that the end is nigh.
“Yeah, it has dawned on me that this is the end.
“It dawned on me a while back, during pre-season to be exact, and I was like time really flies. “Time waits for no man,” he said. Unlike his compatriot, he is keeping his long-term goals close to his chest.
As far as short-term goals go, he wants to do well during the outdoor season, qualify for the World Championships
and maybe break a few records along the way.
It’s all about leaving a lasting legacy at TCU.
Still, the two speak with a unified voice when it comes to their stay at TCU.
After all, this is the institution that brought together a former St George’s College and Prince Edward alumni, forging a friendship that will probably last forever.
They have been roommates, training buddies, brothers and were each other’s support system during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The pair has endured some highs and lows during their stint at TCU.
“The experiences I had out here are some of my favourite moments.
“Just being here in the US was really surreal for me. There have been days when I would wake up, look outside my window and have it hit me that I am in the US.
“Being here competing with the best of best, as America is known for sprints, has been great.
“In 2019 was the only low moment as I got a little homesick, but other than that it has been smooth sailing for me,” Matiyenga added.
For Mapaya, it was a little different. “Being here has been great, I was crowned national champion in 2019 and enjoyed every aspect of college life.
“I can’t say I have had low moments as I take them more as learning opportunities and motivation to become better.
“However, if I am to name one moment then it was when I tore my hamstring last year.
“It affected me for a day or so. “I am a very optimistic person and I moved on from it very quickly and began working towards getting back on the track.
“Still, I have enjoyed every other moment here at TCU and have learnt a lot from the experience,” Mapaya said.