May 28, 2008

SANTA CLARA, Calif.: Senior Michael Delaurenti will make Santa Clara history this Saturday at Cal State Northridge where he will be competing in the men's steeplechase at the NCAA West Regionals. Delaurenti is the first Bronco in the history of the outdoor track program to qualify for the NCAA West Regionals.

Throughout the season, Delaurenti steadily improved his steeplechase time in order to qualify for the big race at Northridge. At the Brutus Invitational in April, he finally reached his goal with a qualifying time of 9:06.84, just making the 9:07 cut-off time and a first place finish in the race as well. Said head coach Tom Service about the win at Berkeley, ""We are just so proud of Mike. This is his fourth and final year at Santa Clara, and he's worked so hard all these years for this; it's just amazing to see this happening for him."

SantaClaraBroncos.com sat down with Michael Delaurenti to find out some of the keys to his success this year and his feelings about the upcoming race.

SantaClaraBroncos.com: How would you describe your experience here at Santa Clara these past four years?

Michael Delaurenti: It's definitely been a lot of work (during all of the years) but senior year has also been the most rewarding year. This has been the year where the work has paid off the most. The first three years have been great too, but they were all building up to this year and I've been able to visibly see the results more this year compared to the other past years.

SCB: How does it feel to see all of your hard work pay off?

MD: It's been really great. There have been some points during the first three years where I have struggled or questioned myself, but in the end the determination paid off. Senior year has just been really great.

SCB: What do you feel has been your key to success?

MD: Getting a lot of rest, getting a lot of sleep. Just trying to make sure it stays fun, because if you get to that point where its not then it all just goes downhill.

SCB: Did you ever expect to qualify for the NCAA Regionals?

MD: I kind of thought about it my sophomore year which is when I first started competing in the steeplechase. Steeplechase for me has always been more fun of an event to do. It involves a lot more athletic ability and coordination; it's not the normal track race.

SCB: How was that feeling after you found out that you had qualified for the NCAA regionals?

MD: It was a really great feeling. My time was really close, so it was more a feeling of relief more than anything. I'm definitely excited.