Sky's the Limit for Asya Reynolds

Michigan State senior Asya Reynolds knows her reputation proceeds her. She is the reigning Big Ten heptathlon champion, first-team Outdoor All-Big Ten and MSU's George Alderton female co-athlete of the year.

She is one of the top track and field stars in the Big Ten, and she is looking to score even higher in the pentathlon and heptathlon. She has broken the MSU's scoring record for the heptathlon five times and the pentathlon three times.

"I would say that I'm at least average in each event that I do within the heptathlon. Being average at every event will get you a good score in competition," said Reynolds, a native of Cleveland, Ohio.

Her record-setting and winning junior season has made her eager to do even more in her final year at MSU.

"I have a lot of ambition. Coming off of a good season gives me an advantage because of the experience that I've gained last year," said Reynolds, who is a communication major.

She would like to place in the top eight in the NCAAs, something she didn't do last year as she took 16th. The jump into the upper echelon of the country means upgrading all event scores.

"I need to step it up at practice and gain more knowledge of the sport itself," said Reynolds.

Michigan State jumps/multi's coach Ceith Creekmur has been Reynolds's coach for the past three years. He also competed in multi events in his collegiate career at Miami (Ohio).

"Something always goes wrong or right but that's how multi's go. You write something down for the meet; it never goes the way you want it too," said Creekmur, who has coached at MSU for eight years.

This year, the Spartans have team captains for each event group and Reynolds is one of the leaders for jumps.

"It makes me feel like I have a bigger responsibility than just being a leader with the captain title," said Reynolds.

Her being a team captain is an extra responsibility on her plate. Reynolds has to focus on being the better version of herself at every practice and every meet to show the team how to compete and lead.

"I'm a leader because of the knowledge and wisdom I have. I have a hard work ethic, and I just love being able to help others who are in need," Reynolds said. "People feel as if they can come to me for advice. I feel that my teammates chose me to be captain because I have been on the team for five years, so I have so much more experience than everyone else on the team and I have also competed at the highest collegiate level."

Reynolds will compete in the pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, March 13 with her first event beginning at 11:15 a.m.

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