This week, I sat down with Edward Wagner ’16, a star hurdler and sprinter on the men’s track and field team. At Yale University for the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships, Wagner made time to talk about his favorite events, ideal track conditions and the added pressure he felt this year as a returning medalist from last year’s Heps.
The day after our conversation, Wagner went on to finish second in the finals of the men’s 400-meter hurdles and eighth the 4x400-meter relay.
Last year, Heps was at Princeton University. This year, you’re at Yale. Which track do you prefer?
EW: It’s really hard to say. Basically when we’re looking for a track, the ideal conditions are one where there’s no wind, and Princeton seemed to be windy all the time. A few weeks ago when we were at Yale there was wind, but today was good. So my personal favorite would be running here at Yale.
Princeton holds a lot of competitive meets so they have that going for them, and their facilities are great, but for some reason this Heps feels special.
Coming into Heps as the highest returning-finisher from last year’s 400-meter hurdles, do you feel like you have a target on your back in that event?
EW: Yeah, I definitely feel that way. In the hurdles anything can happen, but I definitely feel like coming back as a top-finisher from last year I’m meant to win the race. And having the fastest time in trials, I feel more pressure. But one of my friends told me that pressure makes diamonds.
You’ve run a few events in the past — the 4x400-meter relay, the 400-meter hurdles. What’s your favorite event?
EW: Definitely the 400 hurdles. The hurdles give you a chance to focus on a different aspect of racing, the hurdling technique, so it’s a little more painful, but there’s more of a racing strategy. Not every race will turn out the same way even if someone is faster because there are some uncertainties.
Did you run other events in high school? Do you miss running those events?
EW: Early in high school I sometimes would do jumping events like the long-jump — I even used to do the pentathlon, the shot-put, the high jump and the 1,500-meter race. Those were fun, but you have a lot more fun as an athlete when you’re winning. I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to focus on and improve in a few events at college.
Coming off a strong first year, what lessons have you learned that have helped you continue to see success as a sophomore?
EW: I think being led by a great group of seniors both years has been amazing. They’ve been in championship positions before so they understand how to handle pressure. Especially this group of kids is really close, and the fact that we’re all able to support each other, cheer each other on and give each other advice for races has been great. My experience last year at Heps has carried over really well too.
Who is your favorite professional track athlete or professional athlete, and why?
EW: My favorite track athlete is probably Félix Sánchez, the reigning Olympic champion in the 400 hurdles. One of the reasons I respect him so much is that in the sport when athletes get older, doping becomes more and more common. Sanchez is pretty old, but he’s avoided that entirely, and he’s a dedicated athlete and family member. The fact that he’s able to balance his core values with his sport is truly amazing, and that’s something I try to emulate.
I got back in touch with Wagner after his second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles.
How do you feel about your second-place finish at Heps this year?
EW: I’m a little disappointed in myself because I didn’t focus as much on my own race. I was in lane 4, and all the kids who were close were in 5,6,7 and 8. I ended up being a little sloppy on some hurdles, and the kid who won ran a terrific race. It’s disappointing I didn’t win, but I was able to score some points for the team, which is great.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
