In the Spotlight: Claire Kieffer-Wright
1/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Jan. 22, 2016
Multi-sport athletes are rare in today's collegiate athletics landscape, but U-M sophomore high jumper and volleyball player Claire Kieffer-Wright manages to excel in two arenas. The transition between volleyball and track and field can be a rushed one, and after appearing in 30 matches in the fall, Kieffer-Wright took a well-deserved break before making her way back onto the track. Upon beginning her indoor season, she opened with a height of 1.74 meters (5-8.5 ft.) to win the high jump at the Hillsdale Winter Opener (Jan. 9). After a couple of weeks off of competition, Kieffer-Wright will jump again this weekend in South Bend. She stopped by before the Wolverines hit the road to discuss the transition between seasons, how it affects her training for this season and the patience shown by her coaches in allowing her to compete in both sports.
Q. What was the transition like from volleyball to track and field?
A. It wasn't too bad. Volleyball unfortunately ended a little bit earlier than we had hoped for, so I actually had a little bit of time to practice with all the girls at the track. Over break, I took a much-needed rest and when I came back for school, that Wednesday -- the first day of classes -- was also the first day of practice for us as a group. Leading into the first invitational, we put in a lot of hard work, but overall the transition wasn't too bad.
Q. How do you balance the need for rest and recovery after volleyball season with the need to get in the building and start training for track and field season?
A. The motions are a little different, but there are some similar mechanics from volleyball to track, so that helps. The first meet was definitely needed to kick off some of the rust, so I felt like I was at a good starting point. The rest period is critical because the athletic trainers I work with for both sports say that I need to take a break where I'm not doing anything. I didn't quite do that, except for a short while during break when I was at home; I didn't do too much then. But after volleyball and before winter break, I came into the track just to do some drills and stretching. I didn't do any jumping or any work with the mat, or even put my spikes on until two weeks ago and that helped make it a more relaxing transition.
Q. How do Coach Rosen (volleyball), Coach Henry (track and field) and their staffs help make this possible with their support and flexibility of schedule?
A. None of this would be possible without both staffs, from Coach Rosen and Coach Henry to the trainers and strength and conditioning coaches. We all get together in as many meetings as possible to discuss which meets I'll be competing in for the indoor season, and what the volleyball spring dates look like because we do compete in the spring. What I would have to give and take away from other schedules and vice versa.
Hopefully, I don't have to see my trainers at all because I'll be healthy. When Tim White (volleyball) isn't able to be there and ready to help, it's nice to have Mike Hickey to go to, and the same for if Mike's not there, because Tim usually will be. It's such a great staff and support system and they obviously want me to do the best in both sports that I can for Michigan.
Q. Do you feel good about the way you opened the season at 5-8.5 ft.?
A. During the indoor season last year, I was at about 5-10.75 and that was my final indoor height at Big Tens. Outdoor last year, this (5-8.5 ft.) was right about where I ended the season so it feels like I'm just picking things up where they left off and that's off just three days of practice for that meet. I know it's only going to get better so I think it's a great starting point.
Q. After a fairly successful freshman season, did your goals change at all heading into this track and field season? How did that force you to raise the bar for your own personal expectations?
A. I knew since my sophomore year in high school that I wanted to try for the Olympic Trials. This is an Olympic year so I am kind of tailoring my season towards a long postseason so I can hopefully go to the trials and have a shot at making the team to Rio. It's a very big goal but I think it's pretty attainable for what I'm trying to do.
I'm not competing as much in the indoor season but I'm competing in some more of the meets that matter, especially the Big Ten meets and hopefully nationals. The outdoor season is where I'm going to try and kick things up so that I can have a long postseason and peak at the right time. Competing at regionals last year and not making it to NCAA Outdoors was not in my plans. I really wanted to make it to Eugene and show what I could do, but this year I'm hungry for that.
• Previous Spotlight: Danielle Pfeifer
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
