194SPRING ATHLETICS IRON MAN Bison tennis player competes in an Ironman triathlon. GRIT AND GLORY Sophomore Jacob Wood poses in his commemorative triathlon shirt. Wood’s coaches and teammates were inspired by his competitive drive for excellence. Photo by: Jaxon Nash SOPHOMORE TENNIS PLAYER JACOB Wood impacted his teammates and coaches early in his Harding career. Head men’s and women’s tennis coach David Redding was impressed by Wood the moment he came to campus. “Jacob came to Harding as a freshman with a big heart, a passion for tennis and a drive for competitive excellence,” Redding said. In addition to the fast start Wood made in tennis, his accomplishments in summer 2021 were even more impressive. He completed a Half Ironman Triathlon, which consisted of swimming 1.2 miles, running 13.1 and biking 56. “I decided to do my Half Ironman in the summer of 2020,” Wood said. “I was running and biking a lot and wanted to find a difficult challenge for myself.” Wood was proud of how he did in the Half Ironman, feeling that he finished strong. “I felt a mix of joy and fatigue after I finished the triathlon,” Wood said. “I had been moving in some way for about six hours, and so to come to a stop was an incredibly odd feeling. I was incredibly proud to have finished. Luckily, it ended with running, which was my strongest part. I felt good for the run and ran my final mile at about a seven-minute pace.” Wood’s teammates weren’t surprised he was able to complete it. Ricardo Rodrigues, a junior on the tennis team, knew Wood was very motivated. “His determination to not give up on what he wants is impressive,” Rodrigues said. “If he wants something, he goes for it and achieves it no matter what.” Redding was also amazed at Wood’s accomplishments. “When I heard he had not only finished the triathlon, but finished it well, all I could do was marvel at the young man’s grit and competitive desire,” Redding said. Wood hoped the Half Ironman would help him in his tennis career. “All of the training for the triathlon along with tennis training gets me in great shape,” Wood said. “By being in good shape, I don’t get tired easily and am able to stay on the court longer than my opponent. I also think the endurance events have made me tougher mentally.” Redding was excited to see how Wood’s future with Harding tennis would take shape and what he could bring to the team in the next three years. “If you give Jacob a goal, he devours it,” Redding said. “He has not only become a leader in our off-court conditioning and in the classroom, but he has steadily improved his tennis skills so much in his first three semesters at [Harding] that I have no doubt he will leave his mark of excellence and have a distinguished career at Harding on the tennis court as well. That is, if he doesn’t first decide to become a world-class triathlete.” WRITTEN BY CARTER THWEATT
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