Sprinter off to a fast start

The No. 14 track and field team has struggled in the early part of the indoor season with team mentality, Coach Marshall Goss said. But for junior sprinter Ryan Sarbinoff, taking the team to a Big Ten Chamionship is one of his goals, he said.\nSarbinoff has helped lead the team in the two indoor meets this season with first and second place finishes in the 400-meter dash. He has also anchored the 4x400 meter relay team to victory in both meets.\n"Ryan's been working very, very hard," Goss said. "He's carefree, but when it comes to participating, he competes hard."\nThe team was without Sarbinoff for a large portion of last season when he partially tore his hamstring. That injury cost him three weeks of last season and three more months after Sarbinoff attempted to compete before his hamstring was ready. \nSprinting coach Ed Beathea said the coaching staff is more cautious with Sarbinoff's return this season. In the early part of the season he has refrained from excessive speed work, focusing more on strength.\n"His progress from a physical standpoint has been OK, but he has struggled mentally because he hasn't passed where he was last year yet," Beathea said. "If he stays healthy and continues to work then his times will drop. Sarbinoff's a competitive kid and that'll help him get back to where he wants to be."\nSarbinoff said he has applied pressure on himself to regain form, not for individual performances, but to help his team. He said he wants to qualify for the NCAA Championships, but added it is more important for the team to win the Big Ten Championships.\n"It's just more important to me to benefit the team however I can instead of just helping myself," Sarbinoff said. "I know track is both a team and individual sport but I think the main objective is a team championship. It wouldn't be a team sport if that wasn't the overall goal."\nAs a prep at Carmel High School, Sarbinoff led his team to a championship by winning the 200- meter dash and placing second in the 400-meter dash and the 4x400 meter relay. If he remains healthy, he could help the team to a Big Ten Championship this season.\n"I think he has a lot of leadership qualities," Goss said. "A leader is one who does what he says he's going to do, and Ryan does what he talks."\nSarbinoff still has work to do before he can run as fast as he would like, but that as long as his hamstring problems stay away, he will be fine, Beathea said. Sarbinoff's mentality will ensure success this season, Beathea said.