When it comes to Track and Field, it did not take the University of Pittsburgh’s Brycen Spratling long to catch on. Five years ago, Spratling was new to the sport, and though he had never ran track until his Senior year of High School, success came quickly. From out of nowhere, the Rochester, New York native would win a State Championship in the 400 meters and earn an athletic scholarship to Eastern Michigan University.
Barely one high school season in a sport, and you earn a division one full ride? That would be a story in itself, but that was just the beginning.
At Eastern Michigan, the success continued. As a freshman, Spratling won the indoor and outdoor MAC titles in the 400 meters, which included a blazing time of 46.65 at the outdoor championships. Though Spratling continued to have success, something was missing from a competitive standpoint. It was then when Spratling made the difficult decision to leave ESU.
“The decision to transfer came down to wanting to compete at a higher level, I wanted a chance to be the best I could be on the track, and the best way to do that was to transfer to a bigger school,” said Spratling.
It was after a visit to the University of Pittsburgh, that Spratling knew he had found the right fit. Spratling has certainly made the most of his time as a Panther, and the last three seasons have been full of accomplishments.
Pitt Track and Field head coach Alonzo Webb knew right away he was getting somebody special in Spratling, but even he gives pause when the thinks about all that Spratling has done in his short time at Pitt. Spratling currently holds seven school records and has done something extremely rare, win a conference title in three different conferences, the MAC, Big East and the ACC.
“To the best of my knowledge, I can’t remember an athlete ever doing that,” said Webb. “It’s extremely rare. If it did happen before, its something else. One of the things that makes Brycen so unique is his range as a track athlete, he’s a guy who can run a 60-meter dash competitively but yet, he could go all the way up to the 800 meters, a middle-distance event and compete at a high level. What’s crazy is he’s still improving; he’s still not run his best race at the University of Pittsburgh, he will, but it’s still ahead of him.”
When you consider that Spratling has already been an NCAA runner up in the 400 meters and currently holds the collegiate and American record in the 500-meter dash, it might come as a surprise to think his best races are still ahead. However, this winter, Spratling is performing at a completely different level.
In Pitt’s first season competing in the ACC, Spratling has been tearing up the track. This includes establishing, or re-establishing two school records, running one of the fastest 500-meter races in the world, just missing the indoor collegiate record 4×200 relay and setting himself up for a chance to compete for a national title in the 400 meters next weekend at the NCAA Indoor National Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Spratling will also compete in the 4×4 relay with teammates Micah Murray, Carvin Nkanata and Desmond Palmer. After winning the ACC title in the 4×4 this past weekend, Webb thinks they could surprise in that event also.
“We really have not been pushed throughout the season in the 4×4,” Webb noted. “Unlike some of the SEC teams who have run faster, they have the advantage of competing against each other routinely throughout the season. With our group, I am excited to see how they respond on the big stage. We have experienced guys who are hungry, so it’s going to be something.”
Spratling is quick to give credit to his teammates for his success, though.
“There is no way I would be where I am at right now without my teammates, all of them. Guys like Carvin and Micah continually push me to be better, to work harder,” he said. “Micah and I started together, and to see things get to this point, putting in work, means a lot. Sometimes, having them to lean on makes all the difference. Its made me work harder in the weight room, doing all the little things to get better.”
Though Pitt Track and Field may not get the notoriety, there is no question Albuquerque could be a chance for Spratling and his teammates to shine on a national stage. Webb believes thats exactly what is going to happen.
“I truly believe if Brycen has his best race, he can compete for a national championship. Nkanata is a returning All-American in the 200, and I think he can also place very high on the medal stand,” said Webb. “Murray is coming off a third-place finish in the 400 at ACC’s and is running really well right now, I think he has a chance to also be a place winner. And like I said, I think the 4×4 could have a special race, and if that happens, anything is possible.”
Though Spratling has been named the ACC’s top male performer three times this season, and will likely pursue a professional running career once his time at Pitt is complete, he is quick to note that he’s focused on embracing the opportunities in front of him, and not revel in accomplishments in the past, or look too far ahead to the future.
“Right now, I just want to finish my career at Pitt by giving it all I have, and hopefully reaching all the goals I have set for my time here,” Spratling said. “I’m so excited for Nationals, and that’s where my focus is, to have a huge weekend and do my best.”
No matter what the future brings, Brycen Spratling is an athlete that Pittsburgh fans should get to know. ESPNU will be televising the NCAA Championships this coming weekend, if you want to watch Spratling and his teammates compete among the best of the best.
