Junior track and field player
Marcus Dozier.
SAM CARAVANA / THE DEPAUW
Junior Marcus Dozier has already had an impressively successful indoor track season—he’s team captain, has already set the school record in shot put, rebroken the same record and won a conference championship. Now, he’s headed to his first indoor NCAA Championship after qualifying for the outdoor championship his sophomore season, where he placed sixth in the country in discus. That sixth place also helped him earn All-America honors last season. As a team, men’s track finished fourth in the NCAC conference championship, helped by Dozier’s winning toss of 16.41 meters.
The DePauw (TDP): First of all, how did it feel to win a conference title?
Marcus Dozier (MD): It felt amazing to win a conference championship, especially from a senior who has never lost before. Being conference champion was a goal of mine since I came into college and there could not have been a better way to win it with my team surrounding the ring, chanting ‘DPU’ as loud as they could.
TDP: This is your first time at the indoor national championship, but you made it to the outdoor championships last year—what's the difference between the two?
MD: To me, there is no difference between indoor and outdoor other than being able to throw more events. I know many athletes consider indoor as a pre-season to outdoor, but to me, as long as there is a chance to win an NCAA trophy, I'm giving it all I've got.
TDP: How are you preparing for the NCAA Championships?
MD: To prepare I have been doing what I have been doing all season which is to work out, practice, eat and visualize winning another trophy.
TDP: You're just a junior and have already accomplished so much—what are your next goals?
MD: I have four main goals I want to achieve before graduating: win at least 5 NCAA trophies, hold every record in my events, become the national champion and get into the DePauw Track and Field Hall of Fame.