March 8, 2012
by Carrie Adams, ASU Media Relations
TEMPE -- One would be hard-pressed to find someone that does more on a yearly basis for the Arizona State University track and field team than junior Christabel Nettey.
Nettey is a returning NCAA Outdoor All-American who holds the second-best long jump outdoors in ASU history with a mark of 21-03.50. She will look to tab her second All-America honor and first indoors in the event this weekend at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships in Nampa, Idaho.
Even with All-America honors on the line this weekend, there is much more to the junior than her long jumping skills. She also holds the third-best mark in school triple jump history, the seventh-best score of all-time in the heptathlon and the 10-fastest time in the 100-meter hurdles - and those are just her outdoor records.
Nettey ranks second in the triple jump, fourth in the long jump and has the fifth-best time in the 60-meter hurdles in indoor competition. Her outstanding performances mark her as arguably one of the best all-around athletes on the team.
It is not only pure athleticism that makes her such a vital member of the team, but also the important role she plays as a leader and an inspiration to her teammates.
“Leader by example,” is the way the junior described herself. Nettey is one of three sprinter-jumper hybrids on the women’s team and lets her actions and dedication guide the way for her fellow teammates.
Nettey always uses her skills and knowledge to encourage and assist her teammates.
She works especially close with the jumpers and hurdles, helping them out with technical aspects.
In addition to motivating her teammates, Nettey also competes in three and sometimes four separate events during both indoor and outdoor season as well as filling in on relay teams as needed, acting as major factor in boosting her team’s performance.
As a Sun Devil, Nettey expected to partake in more than just jumping.
“You have to do things for your team,” she explained. “Everybody puts in their best effort and in the end, it’s great to feel like you have contributed a lot.”
Looking back to three years ago, neither the coaches nor Nettey herself would have expected her to be in the position she is in today.
Arizona State recruited Christabel Nettey’s older sister, Sabrina Nettey, two years prior to Christabel’s commitment. Arizona State was a serious consideration for Sabrina, but ultimately she chose to go Stanford as a sprinter-jumper for their track and field program. When it came Christabel’s time to consider schools, ASU was not initially her first choice, despite being heavily recruited by them.
“I would never have thought I would live in the desert,” Nettey said.
Coming from Vancouver, British Columbia, the Arizona heat was a shock to the native Canadian who was used to typical rainy, cool weather.
During her recruitment process, Nettey considered many other options. She visited USC, had an official visit with the University of Illinois and another official visit to Cal Berkley – where she originally verbally committed.
After her visit to Cal, Nettey still felt inclined to check out Tempe and see what the Sun Devil team was really like.
“I realized it’s more than just hot weather,” she said of the experience. “The team was really welcoming and I loved the city of Tempe.”
Despite her original indecisiveness towards Arizona State, Nettey’s decision to join the Sun Devil squad has suited her well.
This weekend will mark Nettey’s third consecutive appearance at the NCAA Indoor Championships and she will look to earn her first All-America honor indoors in the process. She will come into the competition as the 14th seed and not many eyes will be on her as a favorite to make a difference.
Keeping that in mind though, Nettey is no stranger to the Big Meet and she’ll be ready to add just one more honor to her list of accolades before things are over in Idaho.