May 14, 2004

by Mike Mears

A year ago, Adrian Walker was a solid freshman performer in the 400-meter hurdles for Illinois, having logged a best time of 53.44 seconds.

Then came the Big Ten meet.

As Walker tries to capture the Big Ten crown in the 400 hurdles this weekend, he can look back to the semifinals last year as a launching pad for his collegiate career. That personal best of 53.44 was shattered, as he clocked a 51.45 before finishing third in the conference at 51.62 in the finals.

"Last year I went in just hoping to make the finals. I knew that I could do it all year," said Walker. "Around Big Ten time, I had more time to relax. I feel like it was definitely a turning point for me."

Walker carried that improvement into this season. He's consistantly run under 51 seconds during the outdoor season, dropping his time to 50.44 at the Cal Invite April 9. The time places him No. 5 in the nation.

No doubt helping Walker's improvement was the hiring of first-year head coach Wayne Angel, an Illinois graduate who was a world-class 400 hurdler.

"It's been great working with him. Coach Angel is a very down-to-earth person," said Walker. "I've gotten much stronger with the type of workouts he has me do."

"Strong" may not be the word that first comes to mind upon first glance at Walker's lanky 6-foot-4, 160-pound frame that suggests a high jumper more than a sprinter. But appearances can be deceiving: Walker has improved all season at exploding out of the blocks, and has the necessary stamina to finish strong in the last 100 meters of the grueling race.

Acquiring that strength is an adjustment most 400 hurdlers have to make in college, as the high school event is only 300 meters. Walker was the state champion the 300 hurdles as a senior at Decatur (Ill.) MacArthur. His time of 36.84 was a mere 0.07 seconds from the state record.

"It's a pretty big difference going from the 300 to the 400, because that last 100 is where the race is won," said Walker. "I'd run the 400 before on my summer track team, but doing it on the collegiate level is that much harder."

Upping the ante is Walker's participation on the 4x400 relay team, as he anchors the regionally qualified team that also includes Tramell Smith, Nathan Vadenboncouer and Abe Jones. While sprinting the 400 meters twice in one day sounds excruciating to most, Walker doesn't view it that way.

"When we get to the 4x4, I'm actually relaxed because it's the last race of the day," said Walker. "The 400 leg doesn't seem as hard because I've already run a 400 that day."

While Walker has steadily improved all year, there's room to lower his time further yet as he aims for a Big Ten title this weekend.

"I've just been working on my starts and my 13 strides. At California I did 13 strides in 5 hurdles," said Walker. "I actually want to get it to six or seven hurdles. Hopefully I can do that at the Big Ten and dip below 50 seconds."

If he can do that, he may be able to rise above his No. 5 seeding at nationals. Walker feels anywhere from the No. 2 to No. 5 spots are up for grabs.

"If I just go out there and have a good race I feel like I can be up there with the best," said Walker.

Though the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas June 11-12 will be Walker's last meet of the season in an Illinois uniform, it likely will not be his last race of the year. Walker currently sits at No. 14 on the list for the US Olympic trials.

"I'm just trying to stay within 20, because they take the top 20 guys (to the trials)," said Walker. "Hopefully I can represent the school well at conference, regionals and nationals and continue that at the US trials."