Get to Know Your Raiders: Kyle Dickinson

A veteran jumper on the men’s track & field team, Kyle Dickinson kicked off his senior indoor season this past weekend with PSAC qualifying marks in both the long jump and triple jump at the Bison Opener from Bucknell University.

The Harrisburg native placed second in the long jump and third in the triple jump on Saturday, and at the PSAC Indoor Championships in February, Dickinson hopes to follow up his impressive performance from last season when he placed fourth in both events.

Dickinson, a criminal justice major, also placed eighth in the triple jump at the PSAC Indoor Championships as a freshman in 2010 and has placed three other times at the PSAC Outdoor Championships: sixth in the long jump in 2010, sixth in the triple jump in 2011 and fourth in the long jump last spring.

Get to know Kyle Dickinson…

What is your favorite pre-meet ritual?

Sitting by myself, listening to music and collecting my thoughts.

What part of Shippensburg, either the campus or the town, do you most enjoy?

I enjoy being on campus the most, just seeing all the different types of people at the school.

What is the best class you've taken at Shippensburg?

Research Methods with Dr. Matthew Fetzer.

If you weren't majoring in criminal justice, what would your major be?

Exercise science/pre-physical therapy, what I did before changing majors.

What is your favorite day of the week, and why?

Friday, because it’s the last day of classes and it’s usually a pre-meet practice for track.

Which are your favorite PSAC schools to compete against, and why?

I like competing against East Stroudsburg because they usually have the best athletes to compete against.

If we asked your teammates to say a few words about you, what do you think they would say?

They would say I’m usually quiet but can also be a jokester.

Which individual athletic accomplishment are you most proud of?

Placing in both long and triple jump at the PSAC Championships.

What's the most difficult part of being a student-athlete?

The most difficult part of being a student-athlete is trying to give 100 percent effort to school and 100 percent to sports as well. It can be very stressful at times.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned being a student-athlete?

Always focus on your grades first, because if you fall behind then you can’t compete until they get up.

What piece of advice stays with you at all times?

Always stay humble and respectful.

If you could talk to children who are just beginning to show an interest in jumping, what would you tell them they should focus on?

The technique first and foremost, and once they master that, the sky is the limit.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind for future athletes at Shippensburg?

I want my legacy to be imprinted as one of the greatest jumpers ever to graduate from Shippensburg University.