Elite college runners, right in your backyard

Unless you are a current or former student or employee at Queens University of Charlotte, or you live or work near the campus, you probably don't know much about the school.

If you're relatively new to the area, you probably don't even know some of the most basic things about it -- that it's in Myers Park, that it's a private, Presbyterian university, that it's mascot is the Royals and that the colors are navy, white and gold.

But two facts might be of interest to you, as a runner (or as a fan of running): 1) The Queens track team is loaded with top-tier talent. And 2) The Royals will get home-field advantage this week when Charlotte's Johnson C. Smith University hosts the NCAA Division II National Track & Field Championships.

In fact, Queens has qualified its largest number of athletes ever for the national meet, which takes place Thursday through Saturday at the Irwin Belk Track. Among those on the roster are two defending national champions -- 10k phenom Tanya Zeferjahn and 5k speedster Michael Crouch (5k).

Zeferjahn qualified for the meet in the 1,500 (4:28.76), the 5k (16:03.51) and the 10k (33:09.47). Senior Meagan Nedlo qualified in both the 5k (16:44.30) and the 10k (34:37.06). Freshman Maraya Slatter will run the 800 and the 1,500 this week (she qualified with marks of 2:12.31 and 4:37.44). Meanwhile, the men will be sending junior Simon Steutzel (1,500, qualified with a 3:48.49); senior Nelson Mwangi (800, qualified with a 1:52.15); and Crouch, also a senior, who will run the 5k (qualifying time: 13:53.37) and the 10k (QT: 30:31.30).

The team is coached by Scott Simmons, who is wrapping up his third year as head coach of Queens' men's and women's cross-country and track teams. He has coached several Royals runners to individual national championships, and prior to coming to Charlotte racked up six Coach of the Year awards while in jobs at National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools.

This, of course, is a long-winded way of saying what I said near the top: The Queens track team is loaded with amazingly talented runners (the women are currently ranked 15th in the nation, and the men are in striking distance of the top 20). And this week's national meet will be a great opportunity to support show your support for the Royals. Read on for quick introductions to four of the squad's fastest runners.

Meagan Nedlo

27, graduate student, Mount Pleasant, Texas

2010 NCAA All-American (16:52 5k)

Q. How and when did you get into running?
I started running in junior high, then ran track and cross-country all through high school. I was pretty good for small town East Texas but let's just say the college coaches weren't beating down my door. So in undergrad I decided not to run but always kept reasonably fit. I didn't start running more seriously again until after college, when I worked for Mizuno and then Brooks for a total of three years. Working in the running industry and being surrounded by colleagues and friends who ran competitively was great motivation to start getting serious about the sport. I asked one of my boyfriend's friends from college to coach me in a marathon I was training for, since I knew he was a college coach and an accomplished runner himself. Six months later he asked me if I wanted to quit my job, get my masters degree and come run at Queens -- and the rest is history!

Q. Which races are you running at the DII championships, and what are your goals?
I will be doubling in the 10k and the 5k, which could potentially make for the most painful weekend of my life. The 10k is my focus and I hope to at least earn All-American honors (which is top 8), hopefully top 3. I'll be running on tired legs for the 5k but would still like to make All-American if things go well.

Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?
It's pretty simple. I've learned that I can run a hell of a lot faster than I ever thought I could. Before I came to Queens I was a 38-minute 10k, 18:45 5k runner -- good enough to win a few local road races but that's about it. Now I've lowered my 10k PR by 4 minutes and my 5k PR by 2. If you'd told me I was capable of that two years ago I would've literally laughed out loud.

Q. What are your post-college running goals?
I want to qualify for the US Championships on the track and the Olympic Trials in the marathon. To be honest, I'd prefer not to focus on the marathon, but I don't have the raw speed to be nationally competitive in anything else!

Q. How do you get fired up before a race?

I drink some coffee a few hours before, review my race plan and I'm good to go!

Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?
Definitely a good brunch or breakfast of some kind. Doesn't matter what time of day it is.

Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?
Most of my overseas travel to date took place before I became a competitive runner -- so I hope to change that in the near future! However, I've had the opportunity to travel all over the country for running, which is something I'll forever appreciate. Central Park in the middle of a snowstorm was pretty cool, as was running on the cross-country skiing trails in Whistler, BC. We had a Brooks sales meeting there two years before they hosted the Winter Olympics. Running on the National Mall at sunrise has got to be one of my favorites, too. I can't pick one!

Maraya Slatter

18, freshman, Clayton, N.C.

Conference Freshman of the Year

Q. How and when did you get into running?

My running career began with my dad putting me in the Hershey running program. I was a soccer player for most of my middle school career and my team was undefeated every year, but my dad wanted me to lose for the fear of me turning into a "sore loser." So he wanted me to run because it was an individual sport for the most part; and I had motivation to do it because if I was fast enough, I could get a free trip to Hershey Park, and what kid doesn't want to go there. I actually didn't make it by only a second. I had excelled at running and soon became part of a club team not far from my hometown. Then I started running for high school and I was really lucky to have such a great coach in high school. If it wasn't for him, I honestly don't think I would be as good as I am or even here at Queens.

Q. Which race are you running at the DII championships, and what are your goals?

800 meters. I hope to run faster than 2:10, but what i'm really aiming for is to make it to the final round and place well.

Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?

To be patient, because good things come in time. It has been a hard transition, but everything pays off and every race here is FAST!

Q. What are your post-college running goals?

Well, if things work out and I improve like I hope to, then I would like to go professional. If that doesn't work out, I would really like to coach at a collegiate level.

Q. How do you get fired up before a race?

Well, I'll either listen to some pumped-up music or funny music. I like to laugh and get my mind off the race just enough to ease the nerves.

Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?

Anything SWEET!

Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?

Well, my favorite place to run is this place not to far from my hometown called Umstead. Miles and miles (of) trails where you almost never have to repeat yourself, and different varieties of paths -- but all dirt. It's perfect!

Michael Crouch
22, senior, Morongo Valley, Calif.

Two-time NCAA Champion: 5k and 1500m (13:40 5k, 3:45 1,500)

Q. How and when did you get into running?

My junior year of high school, I stopped wrestling to run.

Q. Which race are you running at the DII championships, and what are your goals?

I am running the 5k, and hoping to come back a national champion again.

Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?

I have learned how to rise above the average runner and push myself in a way that I pride myself in.

Q. What are your post-college running goals?

Running at the Olympic Trials and running under 13:20 for 5k.

Q. How do you get fired up before a race?

I always give myself a prepartation talk, listen to some Nirvana and Brand New.

Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?

Anything spicy, or the closest thing that I can get my hands on.

Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?

There are so many amazing places in my eyes that may not be amazing to others because of the context behind the run. For example: running along side the 15 Freeway outside of Las Vegas in the middle of traffic for 15 miles. But just being on the East Coast is amazing for running because every run is different and special considering I am from the West Coast. I [especially] like running in Virginia.

Nelson Mwangi

27, senior, Kapsabet, Kenya

2010 NCAA runner-up: 800m (1:51 800)

Q. How and when did you get into running?
I started running in the fall of 2006. However, [I was previously involved in rugby and soccer, two sports that involve a lot of running]. It was through soccer that my junior college coach recruited me to run.

Q. Which race are you running at the DII championships?

800m.

Q. What have you learned about yourself through competing at the collegiate level?

I am calm and perform well under pressure.

Q. What are your post-college running goals?

To run a marathon ... under 2:30.

Q. How do you get fired up before a race?

I like to watch my favorite track videos.

Q. What's your favorite post-race treat?

Cold Gatorade and a jacuzzi.

Q. Where's the most amazing place in the world that you've ever run?

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

For a full schedule of events at the NCAA Division II National Track & Field Championships, click here.