April 14, 2011
The Stanford track and field teams prepare for the 117th running of Big Meet on Saturday, April 16, in its annual grudge match with California. Seniors Brittni Dixon-Smith and Jake Riley have been through their fare share of Big Meets and took a few moments to consider the scored dual meet with gostanford.com.
Riley, is coming off a big 2010 outdoor track season when he was an All-American in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, a difficult double. He placed seventh at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championships and after redshirting the indoor season has already run 28:54.69 for the 10K outdoors.
Dixon-Smith is one of Stanford's most versatile athletes, contributing in the sprints, jumps and relays. She has been a Pac-10 and MPSF scorer in the long jump and triple jump as well as advancing to the NCAA's as part of the 4x100-meter relay. This season, she was the runner-up at the Pepsi Invitational in both the long jump and the 200 meters.
While both athletes are accomplished at the national level, nothing quite compares to the Big Meet. The annual scored dual meet against Bay Area rival Cal is sure to bring plenty of excitement to Cobb Track and Angell Field.
Go Stanford: How important is beating Cal in the Big Meet compared to the rest of the season?
Dixon-Smith: The Big Meet is important, but I think the talent and willingness to win on the Stanford track team far exceeds this competition. I think the real work will be done at Pac-10's, Regionals, and Nationals.
Riley: I would not judge my season by the outcome of Big Meet, but I've never lost a Big Meet, and this is my last one, so losing is not really acceptable.
GoStanford: Do you enjoy competing in a scored dual meet as compared to an Invitational?
Dixon-Smith: Yes, I love all competition. Competition is what makes the hard work I put into the sport worth doing. The Big meet really brings our team together. It is a time of the year where camaraderie and spirit among my teammates is stronger than ever.
Riley: Heck yeah!, since track isn't as much of a team sport as say football or soccer, especially in an Invite setting, it's really fun to have that team atmosphere and "us vs. them" mentality. Also, when it's coming down to the last events, the whole team can gather around the track or the pit and cheer the teammates on, which is harder in an Invite setting.
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GoStanford: What is your favorite Big Meet memory?
Dixon-Smith: My favorite part about Big Meet is the events that lead up to the competition. Every year our team divides by event and creates skits to get the team fired up about winning the meet.
Riley: Last year in the 3K Justin Marpole-Bird came from probably 150 meters back to kick down Michael Coe and give Stanford the sweep, that was pretty cool. A close second is when a Cal guy tripped going over the water barrier in the steeplechase which gave Chris Mocko the win.
GoStanford: What events do you hope to compete in?
Dixon-Smith: I hope to compete in the long jump, 4x100, 4x400 and 100 meters.
Riley: I'm a distance guy so its going to be the 3K for me.
GoStanford: What is an event that you have never done that you think you might be able to help the team?
Dixon-Smith: I think I might be a good hurdler.
Riley: The hammer throw.
GoStanford: What event is your favorite to watch at the Big Meet?
Dixon-Smith: My favorite events to watch are the relays.
Riley: The 1,500 meters is always fun to watch, but if the meet is on the line, nothing is more exciting than the 4X400-meters. There is so much excitement and energy, it's awesome.
GoStanford: Who wins this year's meet?
Dixon-Smith: Silly question! Of course Stanford.
Riley: Stanford in a landslide.