Kuretich Running Out of Time : Cal Lutheran Sprinter Burdened by NAIA Setbacks

Troy Kuretich is looking for three days of redemption.

Three days to make up for three years of disappointment.

Even though the Cal Lutheran sprinter and long jumper has set five school records and qualified for five events at the NAIA track championships that begin today and run through Saturday in Russellville, Ark., solace has been painfully hard to come by.

Each of the past three years, Kuretich has qualified to compete at the nationals. But every year, something has gone awry.

In 1984, he qualified in the 100 meters but pulled a hamstring in the District III championships and couldn’t run. The following year, after qualifying in the 100 meters and the long jump, it was Kuretich’s performance that pulled up lame. He didn’t qualify in the sprint and never threatened in the long jump.

Still, he saved the worst for last year.

After qualifying in the long jump, 100, 200 and the 4 x 100 relay, he pulled a hamstring while jogging the morning of the first day of competition and was forced out.

This was particularly galling to Kuretich because he was favored to be among the top six in both the 200 and the long jump. Had he finished in the top six, he would have been an All-American. Instead, he was all mixed up.

“I couldn’t believe it or understand it,” he said. “I just sat there and watched my events go by.”

And he watched as Cal Lutheran’s 4 x 100 relay team finished sixth without him.

“I cried for three days,” he said. “It was the toughest moment of my life.”

Which is saying something, considering the substantial list of nagging problems Kuretich has had to overcome. Little obstacles, such as breathing.

Coming out of high school in 1982, he signed a full scholarship to play football at the University of Pacific in Stockton. After three weeks of fall practice, which included two two-day stays in a hospital because of asthma attacks, Kuretich decided living was more important than playing football for the Tigers. Doctors said “peat dust” in the agricultural area was aggravating his asthma. He thought he’d try the air in Southern California.

Kuretich turned down a half-tuition track scholarship to UCLA and a full scholarship at San Diego State to come to Cal Lutheran. CLU was the only school that would allow him to play both sports. For two years, he played football and ran track for the Kingsmen before deciding to concentrate solely on track his junior year.

This year, the senior from San Diego has been hampered by a pulled muscle in the heel and has rested it for the past two weeks.

“I don’t know how this happened,” Kuretich said. “I thought maybe I stepped on a rock. I’ve rested, but the sore heel has stayed with me. But this is my last year. This is it. It’s do or die. Pain is no obstacle at this point.”