Etoot was the SEC indoor champion in the 800 meters (Alex Moore) |
A strong favorite for the title, which included defeating the defending champion from South Carolina in Otukile Lekote at the SEC Championships, Etoot finished a disappointing 15th with a time of 1:50.84. The time and place, however, was a venture of learning for the freshman from Nakuru, Kenya, who plans to show the nation again what he is capable of.
"It just goes to show that anything can happen in a big race," said Etoot. "The indoor NCAA finals opened new strategies for me of handling the race."
Etoot was also named the SEC Cross Country Freshman of the Year earlier this season. A threat on the long course as well in the fall, he hopes to make big strides for the Alabama program which included the guidance of former teammate and friend, David Kimani.
"It's really hard to lose such a great teammate and friend," he said a few days after finding about what happened to Kimani. "We are all still trying to accept the fact that he's gone."
Trying to adjust to the American culture wasn't easy either for Etoot from what he was used to back home in Kenya. Kimani, who was also from Kenya, was there to help Etoot every day and when he needed him most.
"The culture was easy for me to fit in here in America, thanks to friends like Kimani on campus who really helped me along the way."
The loss of Kimani still to this day is hard to get over for everyone at Alabama. It's hard to accept that life must go on and trying to focus on track along with school is difficult. One of the new platforms that every Division I athlete must face in order to advance to the Championship meet is the regional system.
"I am aiming at the top five in the regional's," as the system will only take the top five individuals from each event to the national meet. Leading up to the meet will include trying to peak and stay in top form for an extra two weeks that most collegiate athletes are not accustomed to.
"Training hard and winning easy is the plan. I expect much of myself after training every day." It won't be easy for anyone, but Etoot has the confidence and training to perform above expectations this season in both the 800 and 1500 meters.
Quickly pointing out that running is "life" in Kenya, Etoot hopes to take that same passion on the track to bring home a national title to both Alabama and his home country.