Looking through women’s track results, it’s easy to get the impression that Bethany Dumas is a seasoned veteran.
She’s almost always an event winner and her prowess extends beyond a single event.
But if you think she’s a familiar face, you’re wrong. In fact, Dumas is new on the track scene, but she’s making her presence known.
“Its kind of weird, you know, being the little freshman” she laughs. “A lot people will ask me like, ‘hey how was this meet?’ And I’m just like, ‘Well, I’ve never actually been.”
Despite her rookie status, Dumas is holding her own at the highest level.
Case in point: this weekend at the Aloha Relays, Dumas was the lone Husky athlete to pick an individual win, which came in the 400-meter hurdles.
But that’s not all.
She also posted a third place finish in the pole vault and a fourth place performance in the javelin.
Like some sort of Roman olympian, Dumas’ talent transcends a limited skill set. More than just a sprinter or a thrower, she’s a track and field athlete in the truest sense of the word.
But how does she do it?
Hard work, dedication and a willingness to practice all of her events.
“My schedule is pretty crazy with practices. Trying to do everything at once is pretty difficult but I do the best I can with training for each specific event,” she explains.
The two-time reigning Little East Conference Rookie Field Athlete of the Week, Dumas has shown incredible diversity, taking event titles in the pole vault, 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles. She’s also had strong showings in the javelin and long jump.
But these seemingly unrelated events actually require a similar set of skills, which Dumas is evidently in the process of mastering.
“These events all have a similar technique, especially when you consider the take-off. The speed will get you the distance, but the take off is what gets you the height.”
Even though she’s shown promise across the competitive gamut, Dumas does, in fact, have a favorite event. And, to no one’s surprise, it’s the event that affords her the best of view of the competition that she’ll dominate: the pole vault.
“I just love heights and the sensation of flying. I think it’s my best event,” she says. “The event itself is just so unique.”
And for someone who has already accomplished so much in her rookie season, Dumas still has one goal yet to be fulfilled. She wants to beat her personal best in the pole vault, which she set in high school: 12 feet, seven inches. Her best this year has been 12 feet, one inch.
Dumas isn’t letting the success go to her head either. Instead, she’s got a simple formula for success: “I just go out there and do my best.”
Luckily for USM, her best – at least so far – has been more than good enough, especially for a so-called “rookie.”
Free Press staff writer Sarah Violette also contributed to this article.