Texas Tech University Athletics
Time to Shine
March 09, 2012 | Track and Field
Led by Women's Mountain Region Field Athlete of the Year Kelly Closse Texas Tech is ready to shine this weekend.
March 9, 2012
by Holly Kitten
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
When it comes to linguistics, senior Kelly Closse is no amateur.
Born and raised in France, she speaks not only her native language, but also English.
Then, there's her ability to speak Spanish.
And don't forget Japanese either. In fact, Closse said she dreams of going to Japan after she graduates.
"It's so different from my culture," she said. "So I am really interested in (the Japanese) language, their traditions and culture. I want to learn about it."
When Closse transferred from South Plains College to Texas Tech last year, she proved she was fluent in another area as well: throwing.
Head coach Wes Kittley said Closse can throw the discus, hammer, shot put, and weight, and do very well at all of them.
"She's really talented," he said. "We're real proud of her."
Since her Lady Raider career began, Closse has set each of the top five marks in school history in the weight throw, four of which she broke this year. She also set the Big 12 meet record this year in the same event, with a mark of 70'-8.00", earning her a second consecutive Big 12 title.
Earlier this week, Closse was named the 2012 Mountain Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Closse said she was not sure what to think about the honor at first, because she received the news in an interesting way.
"My coach texted me," she said, laughing. "He said, `Hey, you won the athlete of the year,' and I was like, `OK, What's that about?'"
After learning what the award was truly about, Closse said she felt honored.
"I'm very happy," she said. "It's great to be at Texas Tech and win this award, because it means a lot. I've been able to improve my skills and I'm really proud of it."
Shortly after being named the athlete of the year, Closse was given another honor. She learned she qualified for not one, but two events in the NCAA Indoor Championships, which begin today in Nampa, Idaho.
The senior automatically qualified for the national meet when she threw a 70'-9.00" in the weight throw at the Red Raider Open February 4. She enters the NCAA Indoor Championships ranked No. 3 nationally.
Closse also enters the meet as a No. 13 shot putter.
Kittley said he believes Closse will perform very well in both events.
"She's a dual threat kind of kid," he said. "We're real excited for her to get an opportunity and get in there and do well."
Closse is joined by seven other teammates competing in Idaho this weekend.
Like Closse, junior long jumper Bryce Lamb enters the meet with a high national ranking of No. 4 in the long jump. Lamb qualified with a mark of 26' 0.75" earlier in the season at the Texas Tech Open. Due to an injury, Lamb was out for much of the remaining indoor season.
However, with Lamb being a two-time All American making his third trip to nationals, Kittley said he has no doubt Lamb is capable of having another successful indoor championship meet.
"I just have so much faith in Bryce," he said. "I think he's proven that he's healthy and ready to go."
Kyal Meyers will compete in the pole vault. He enters the meet at No. 16 in the country after vaulting a personal-best mark of 17'-7.75".
With Lamb and Meyers, Kittley said he is confident in great results this weekend.
"We definitely think we're going to get two All-Americans out of those two guys on the men's side," he said.
Katie Grimes will be one of the other competitors for the Lady Raiders. After a breakout indoor season this year, the junior enters the 60 meter hurdles ranked at No. 14. She has broken the top 5 records in school history in the event, and also placed third in the Big 12.
Kittley said Grimes has proven consistent this season, as she's improved her time nearly every meet.
"Katie's not had a bad race," Kittley said. "That's what we're hoping going into this big meet. We're just really proud of her, and she's got a great chance of also being an All-American this year."
Four other Lady Raiders - Taylor Evans, Candace Jackson, Erica Alexander and Olivia Lewis - will compete in the 4x400 meter relay this weekend.
In the last three meets this season, the women have improved, recording their best time at the Last Chance meet at Iowa State with a mark of 3:34.51. Kittley said he hopes the relay can run a 3:33 this weekend.
Overall, Kittley said Tech will be well represented at the meet.
"I'm excited to get those eight (qualifiers) there," he said. "I really think they're going to have a good meet and do some great things for our university."
Players Mentioned
