Dual-athlete Jefferson continues to balance track, football obligations
6-foot-5 junior displays athletic talent in both sports, maintains academic studies and pursuits
By Marta Jewson
Thursday, March 4, 2010
At 6-foot-5, junior sprinter Kyle Jefferson is one of the tallest members of the Wisconsin men?s track and field squad. That size, along with Jefferson?s speed, is part of the reason Jefferson is also a two-year letter winner for the UW football team.
Jefferson, a Cleveland native, splits his time between the football field, classroom and track. The varsity athlete is navigating the challenges of not just one Division I varsity sport, but two. According to men?s track head coach Ed Nuttycombe, the challenge is one he?s seen many athletes tackle over the years.
?I?ve had a lot of dual sport athletes,? Nuttycombe said. ?(But) Kyle makes it easy.?
After what could be considered a less than successful season for Jefferson on the gridiron in 2009, Nuttycombe said Jefferson has had a breakthrough [track] season this year. He respects Jefferson?s enthusiasm for practice.
Over the weekend, Jefferson finished fifth in the 200m at the Big Ten Indoor Championship in Minneapolis. He also anchored the third-place finish by Wisconsin?s 4x400m relay team.
