Senior finishing strong career

Every freshman comes to IU in search of their identity, and even if they think they know it, it will change throughout the year. Senior track and field standout Kiwan Lawson was no exception to this rule.\nLawson had a rough transition from high school to collegiate track. Now, wrapping up his career with the team, he took time to reflect on those problems and how his coach has helped him through them to be what he is today, a Big Ten champion in the indoor long jump.\n“Freshman year was tough for me,” Lawson said. “I had a few home problems, but really just issues in finding myself and having doubts as to whether or not I was ready for collegiate track. I had real identity problems coming in and being in the shadows, as all eyes were on (former Hoosier) David Neville and the Jefferson twins.”\nAccording to Lawson’s coach, interim head coach Wayne Pate, it isn’t uncommon for a freshman on the squad to have transition problems.\n“Of course he struggled his freshman year; most freshmen do,” Pate said. “Most kids were the stars of their high school teams – that’s how they got to college – and no longer are top dog. That’s where it is our job as coaches to help them through that time.”\nThough Lawson might not have been the focal point of the team his freshman year, this year was different. During the indoor Big Ten Championships, eyes were finally on Lawson, and he definitely was a sight to see.\nLawson took 3rd in the 200-meter dash and earned himself the title of Big Ten champion when he finished first in the long jump in front of family and friends at IU’s Gladstein Fieldhouse. \n“That was probably the best time of my career here at IU,” Lawson said. “My friends came down and it was great getting that first Big Ten title in front of them.”\nLawson has been chasing that title his whole career at IU, a title that would have come a lot sooner than his senior year if not for injury. \nAfter finishing third in the long jump at the indoor Big Tens his freshman year and qualifying for the regional meet during outdoors, Lawson has not been able to stay healthy enough to compete in an outdoor season.\nDuring the indoor season his junior year, Lawson took second in the long jump at Big Tens and was set for nationals when he suffered an injury. He still competed at nationals but finished last, leaping 6.88 meters – nowhere near his personal best of 7.75 meters. The same injury kept Lawson from competing during that outdoor season.\n“I can’t explain how hard it is to not be able to perform,” Lawson said. “It is no longer personal when outdoors come because I have a relay team to compete with. But I think that it is good for athletes to get setbacks early, because it makes them stronger.”\nThis year, the strength that Lawson gained growing up led to his being named a team captain by Pate.\n“It has been good working with (Lawson),” Pate said. “We’ll be sorry to see him go. He has been a good leader and team captain and has done a lot to add to the team. Once in a while I see him off to the side talking with the younger athletes about technique, and that is what you want out of a leader.” \nAs Lawson and his coach gear up for the outdoor Big Ten championships and then for one last shot at the outdoor national championships, they also have one more meet to go. Lawson and his team will be competing along with the women’s team today as IU hosts the Billy Hayes Invitational. \n“I’m anxious for (the Big Tens), because it has been a long season,” Lawson said. “The coaches have been going easy in practice, because I need to have my body at its freshest. Hopefully I will be able to move up the regional list.”