Georgia Heptathletes Hope to Run the Table at NCAA's

After taking gold and solidifying Georgia’s ninth consecutive SEC win in the heptathlon, Kyle Garland hopes to win again in this weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships, but not if teammate Karel Tilga has anything to say about it.

Sophomores, Tilga and Garland are highly recognized within the heptathlon. This year, Garland is seeded first overall while Tilga is starting the competition in seventh. Both are aiming to bring some hardware back to Athens.

The two will be steep competition for each other over the weekend. Although they hope to score high points for the Bulldogs, they both have the same goal in mind; to be a national champion.

The heptathlon will occur over two days in Arkansas. The heptathletes will compete in: 1000-meter, 60-meter, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60 hurdles and pole vault. Arkansas’ track has been notoriously fast and the two plan on using it to their advantage.

“People who haven’t originally ran on this track many times this year, it can trip them up,” noted Garland. “Having had reps on long jump and runways gives me that kind of advantage.”

After placing third at the Razorback Invitational and qualifying for NCAA’s, Tilga has not competed in the heptathlon in over a month, but he doesn’t seem to be concerned.

“Well, you’re doing seven events in two days,” said Tilga. “So, to be able to rest my body is going to be pretty big coming into nationals.”

Statistically, Tilga preforms the best in the high jump, shot put and the 1000. To be in the top tier of heptathletes, he must capitalize on high point opportunities.

“I think there are a lot of key events in heptathlon. I think one of the bigger ones is pole vault where one height is worth thirty points.”

Heptathlons are normally won by the hair on your chin, so for Tilga and others, pole vault is a make-or-break event.

Garland, two-time SEC Indoor Champion, is the king of the hill, sitting at number one going into nationals. Garland specializes in high jump, 60H and shot put. He doesn’t focus on the other heptathletes. Rather, Garland keeps his head down focusing on himself.

“Although you are competing against people right alongside you it’s still about who gets the highest number at the end of the day,” Garland said.

While at Georgia, Garland has never competed in the heptathlon and missed the podium. At this year’s SEC Indoor Championships, Garland took home gold with a personal record of 6012 points, finishing top ten in all seven events.

Johannes Erm, an integral part of Georgia’s multi-event team, who qualified for NCAA’s, will be sitting this meet out. This will be Erm’s second time missing NCAA’s. Last year Erm, Tilga and Garland were seeded top three prior to the cancelations.

While his teammates prepare for nationals, Erm will prepare for outdoor, and this year’s Olympic trials. He and Tilga hope to compete for their country, Estonia, while Garland hopes to land a spot on the notoriously rigorous American team.

“These guys are my brothers but at the end of the day they’re also my competitors,” Garland said.

The Bulldogs are hoping for the best as they head to Fayetteville. The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 11-13 and aired on ESPNU on Sunday, March 14.

Featured on AJC as part of their team advance:

https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-bulldogs/boling-to-compete-in-three-events-for-georgia-at-ncaa-championships/UBYBHC5TTJB2PPFN2JKY2MQSIY/