Brazil-bound Fairley eager to compete internationally
Central Dutch Athletics
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL — The 2018 NCAA Division III men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase champion will represent both Central College and the United States of America at the FISU America Games July 20-29 in Sau Paulo, Brazil.
Sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the American Games are held in even numbered-years for North American and South American nations. This year’s version will feature 1,200 athletes from over 20 participating countries. There are 10 able-body sports and three Paralympic sports.
Fairley is one of 30 members on the American track and field squad that will be spearheaded by Brant Tolsma, the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Division I Liberty University (Va.).
“I am super excited for this trip,” Fairley said. “I am ready to represent the USA with this opportunity that I have been given.”
In the steeplechase, Fairley will be the only American male to compete. He is also running in the 1,500 meters, where he is joined by Jeffrey Dover of Christopher Newport University (Va.). Dover was an outdoor NCAA Division III All-American in 2017 in the event.
The May graduate has spent his summer at Forest Springs Camp in Westboro, Wisconsin as the senior counselor. He wraps up his stint there on July 14 and will make his way to Brazil on July 18.
“My main focus this summer is on serving the campers and counselors at Forest Springs,” he said. “I have been training with Mason Muur (junior, Morrison, Ill.) as he is working at camp alongside me. It has been great to have a teammate to train with.”
Upon his return from Brazil, Fairley is headed east to Lynchburg, Virginia where he will work under Tolsma as a graduate assistant for Liberty’s cross country and track and field programs. Fairley will work towards his masters degree in sports management.
