All-American sprinter and three-time Ohio Valley Conference Male Track Athlete of the Year.

Zye Boey’s Eastern legacy has been etched into the minds of anyone competing against him the past few years, as well as the Panther fans, who have seen him cross so many finish lines in first place.

On Monday, Boey left for Des Moines, Iowa, to make his last stand in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 6 through June 9 taking place at Drake University before setting his sights on the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. on June 28.

“This is by far the best I’ve felt going into a national event,” Boey said. “The race is wide open. I’ve just got to execute, trust in my training, trust in my coaches and do what I’ve got to do.”

With this being an Olympic year, the competition is anticipated to perform at a higher level than normal, but Boey said he is not worried.

“There’s definitely going to be tougher competition, but I’m better as well. All I’ve got to do is do what I’ve been doing up to this point and I should at least come out an All-American, if not close to a National Champion,” Boey said.

Boey said he is also excited for the Olympic Trials, though he is not looking past Des Moines for potential glory in London.

“It’d be great, a dream come true. It’s every track athlete’s dream to make it to the Olympics. If I could do that I’d have achieved my dream,” he said.

As he has gotten older and faster, Boey said the training has not varied much from normal.

“It’s just a variation of different sprint interval training. Now that I’m getting older and getting faster, you’ve got to jack the target times up a notch in practice,” Boey said. “I feel great and I’m ready to go.”

Going out with a bang is his goal, with a five-year career culminating soon; a bittersweet experience.

“I’ve done a lot since I’ve been here. I just want to go out knowing that I’ve given my best, and I shouldn’t have any regrets,” Boey said. “We’ve brought in top recruits year in and year out, OVC champions, and there is more to come. Better is on the way.”

Joining Boey on the journey will be pole-vaulters Jade Riebold, a sophomore, and red-shirt sophomore Mick Viken. Riebold and Viken were unavailable for comment.

Joshua Bryant can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].