Alissa Faulkner 17 September 2013 Going for the Gold With eyes set on Rio for the 2016

Olympics, new assistant track coaches Olimpia Nowak and Pardon Ndhlovu are bringing a wealth of international experience to the Georgia Regents University Cross Country and Track & Field programs. Coming all the way across the pond from Zimbabwe, Pardon Ndhlovu has joined forces with the GRU cross-country team to help boost their level of competiveness. Ndhlovu grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, started running when he was 14 and hasnt stopped since. With a natural talent for running, coupled with a desire to excel, Ndhlovu interned with an agency called World-Wide Scholarships after graduating high school. This agency helps to link student athletes with universities in the United States. Through this agency, he was connected with University of North Carolina Pembroke and received an athletic scholarship which brought him to the U.S in 2009. Once on American soil, Ndhlovu began making a name for himself in both cross-country and track & field. With pages of accolades, being a four-time All-American, three-time athlete of the year, and holding numerous records, just scratches the surface of describing Ndhlovus athletic accomplishments. However, having such prestigious titles and honors seems to have no effect on this athletes humble demeanor explains Josh Stockton, sophomore cross-country runner. Stockton knows Ndhlovu from the Peach Belt Conference and admires him not only as a runner, but as an exemplary sportsman, as well.

Pardon has been a pretty big inspiration, not only for his amazing talent with running, but as an overall great guy, as well, Stockton says. Hes not cocky at all; hes the complete opposite. Hes always there helping and encouraging people. After his races he always goes around talking to people and shaking hands. Being at GRU now, Ndhlovu will be working towards a masters in business administration, while coaching middle and long distance runners. If that doesnt keep him busy enough, Ndhlovu will also be continuing in his own training. My goal is to represent Zimbabwe in some of the international races that are coming up and then to run in Rio 2016 representing Zimbabwe. As if that werent enough of an honor and excitement for GRU, the school has a second Olympic hopeful in its midst! Olimpia Nowak, from Poland, has aspirations of representing her home country as well. Nowak gained international experience competing in the European Championships, the Junior Award Championships in Morocco and Beijing, setting the current Polish national record in the high jump for her age range, and receiving nine medals in the Polish nationals- all before the age of 20. In 2008, Nowak flew across the world to the University of Northern Iowa after she received a full scholarship and a fully funded leg surgery that she needed in order to continue competing. While in Iowa, she excelled, receiving All-American three times. Now at GRU, Nowak will be working on a masters in kinesiology while working with the runners, specifically on sprints, jumps, heptathlons and decathlons.

Freshman track runner Ashley Love has received more than expected in her scholarship with GRU. They told us we were going to have coaches to make us faster, but I never thought we were going to have a coach in the shape that shes in and be potentially going to the Olympics, Love says. Thats a major honor in itself, and the fact that shes so supportive and encouraging has made a huge difference in our running, even this early on. Pioneering something new is what helped attract Nowak to GRU. I really like the fact that they have just started the track program here, Nowak says, so I feel like I can be a part of something that is going to be built up. Head coach of GRUs running programs Adam Ward decided that Olimpia and Pardon would be a great fit for the program not just because of their personal records and accomplishments, but because of their dedication and character, as well. The thing that stood out to me most is that their character in who they are and what they stand for is just exceptional, Ward states about why he choose Ndhlovu and Nowak. I want people who are going to give the orders and live it out. They are both the best examples of what youd want your athletes to be and to model. Character, passion, and dedication. This is what these two rising athletes are bringing to the Cross Country and Track & Field programs at here GRU, and hopefully, in three years time, to the track in Rio, as well- going for the Gold!