March 13, 2003

Samford's track and field team was treated to a visit from the winner of one of the best races in Olympic history recently. Dave Wottle was a 22 year old college student-athlete when he won the 800 meters in Munich in 1972. Today, Wottle and his wife, Jan, keep up with the progress of the student-athletes on Samford's track and field team, especially their daughter, freshman Jenny Wottle.

"The rest of the world knows our guest today as Olympic champion Dave Wottle. We know him as Jenny's dad," said coach Glenn McWaters in his introduction.

After a few brief remarks from Mr. Wottle, coach McWaters dimmed the lights and played the race that is known in track and field circles as one of the most competitive ever.

Wottle was picked to finish sixth out of eight runners in the final. Right from the start, Wottle fell to the back of the pack. Actually, he was so far behind his goal during the first lap was very modest. "I just wanted to catch up to the back of the pack," said Wottle. "The world was watching on television. I didn't want to finish 50 yards behinds everyone."

Little by little, Wottle inched his way back into the race. He moved into sixth place, then into fourth. On the final straightaway, Wottle made his move, crossing the finish line just ahead of the second place runner, who tripped and fell as Wottle scooted by for the win.

"There were two huge black scoreboards in the stadium," he said. "When I saw 'Wottle, D. USA' flash up on the screen, the adrenaline started pumping and it was just a great feeling."

Wottle was asked what feeling he gets when he watches the race today.

"I do still get tingles when I watch it," he said. "There's not a day that goes by that I'm not reminded of it in one way or another. That is how special the Olympics are to our country and the whole world."

Wottle started running in the ninth grade, and he originally wanted to be a sprinter. He eventually found his calling in the longer races. Wottle attended Bowling Green University, where he was a highly decorated runner. He said his goals for improving as a runner were incremental in nature.

"When I first started, I wanted to be the best in my city. I took things one step at a time. With the minor victories, you build confidence. Winning begets winning begets winning," Wottle said.

Wottle said his pre-race preparation included prayer and visualization. Both helped him have the right mental state for a race.

"Focus is extremely important," he said. "I was zeroed in on the goal I had set. When I was on training runs, I would visualize myself in a race and I always pictured myself winning."

The current Bulldog student-athletes enjoyed the talk and the opportunity to interact with such an accomplished track star.

"He was at our cross-country races in the fall. To have an Olympic champion tell you you had a good race is pretty amazing," said sophomore Bryan Baddorf. "I've held the gold medal in my hand. It may look heavy, but it's actually pretty light. For him to come and talk to us is pretty cool. I think everyone appreciates his accomplishments and what he means to track and field."