By Kristie Sikma, guest writer
Justin Balczak pulled away from competitors after two days of competition to secure a win in the heptathlon as Azusa Pacific’s first NCAA Division II National Champion at the NCAA Indoor Nationals on March 14.
The Lake Superior State transfer, who hails originally from Cedar Springs, Michigan, has found his new home in Azusa.
Balczak began competition as a multi-event athlete in his first collegiate year after running hurdles in high school. However, the school lacked the major he wanted and the coaching he needed.
Balczak’s primary reason for transferring was for Azusa Pacific’s cinematic arts major. After hearing about APU from an alumni and a former coach, he decided to research the school.
“My old school did not have cinematic arts or theater, so I transferred for that, and my previous coach at Lake State graduated from APU and recommended it,” Balczak said.
This was not Balczak’s first appearance at the NCAA Division II Indoor Nationals. He’s competed a total of four times at the national championship level. However, during these championships he was never able to secure the win. While at Lake Superior State, Balczak placed third, fourth and was runner-up two times, but he couldn’t get over the hump to win.
Balczak credits the extra edge he needed to the Azusa Pacific track and field program. The coaching he’s received has helped him sharpen his technique in each event.
“At APU, it is a lot easier to do well in each event because each event has its own specific coach,” Balczak said.
Photo: Katie Richcreek
Azusa Pacific men’s track and field coach Kevin Reid had faith in Balczak’s talent.
“He had been runner-up a couple of times, so it obviously was there,” Reid said. “He had a good couple of weeks of training going into nationals, so I knew he was ready to go out there and be pretty good.”
However, at this level of a competition, each athlete has a high chance of winning.
“He won by more than I thought he would, which showed how well he competed and that he was really ready to go,” Reid said.
Balczak scored a personal- and program-best with 5,606 points to win the title — 118 points ahead of the second-place finisher.
He also credits the support system he has found with the team.
“At my old school, other than the track people, no one really supported the team,” Balczak said.
APU has proved to be different in that regard as well for Balczak.
“I have my multi [event] buddies behind me and the whole team behind me, which is nice,” he said.
Between the support of his team, the coaches and the school, Balczak was able to make history at Azusa Pacific. But he doesn’t want to stop now; he is in a new season with new goals for the spring. Balczak now prepares for outdoor season.
“Qualifying for Nationals is the first step. After that, I’ll figure that out once I get to it,” he said. “The first thing is during the first decathlon I’ll try and qualify.”