Two-time team captain, four-time all-American, UW indoor record holder for triple jump, eight-time Big Ten Champion, eight-time all Big Ten, and 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier. Each and every accomplishment on this list belongs to Len Herring, one of the track and field team leaders. However, this laundry list of accolades doesn’t truly tell who Herring is. Teammates of Herring’s see him as a person excelling at whatever he puts his mind to.
“Len has always been one to lead by example,” said teammate Brandon Williams.
Jabari Pride, one of Herring’s co-captains, said Len is a guy that works hard everyday he comes to the track. “The other guys on the team may be tired, but they see Len and the other captains working hard, they in turn do the same. Len is the type of leader that will simply lead by example.”
He works hard and does what needs to be done. If teammates are having problems he is a guy that won’t yell and cuss someone out. Herring will take them to the side and find out why they are not giving their all and try to help them if he can. Jabari Pride obviously thinks highly of his co-captain. The leadership role that Herring has doesn’t stop at the track.
Herring is the vice president of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. He has taken the leadership skills from track and placed them into the working world. Through the Alpha Phi Alpha, Herring is able to utilize his track work ethic toward programs that help the community.
“The fraternity runs different social functions, outreach programs, as well as food drives for those that cannot provide for themselves” Herring said.
Despite all of the pressures Herring faces everyday with athletics and school, he still has time to put into an organization that helps people, while maintaining a GPA over 3.5.
“I’m very proud of my accomplishments away from the track,” Herring said.
On the track Herring works hard and success comes to him as well as to those around him.
This year a freshman, Alonzo “AJ” Moore, has stepped onto the scene and is attempting to steal some of the senior’s light. Moore and Herring have become good friends despite the four-year age difference.
“Len has become like a big brother to me,” AJ said. Herring feels the same way.
“AJ’s like my little brother to me more than a teammate,” Herring said of his jumping partner.
The two have something similar to a sibling rivalry going this season as to who will win the Big Ten Triple Jump Title. As of now Moore has the third best mark in the country with a jump of 16.38 meters (53′ 9″). Herring who placed third at the Indoor National Championships last year is back at 11th place with a mark of 16.05 meters (52′ 7″).
The catch is the senior has only recorded one clean jump in the outdoor season. The competition between the two has come to words, but only words of encouragement and the occasional taunt for good measure. This is expected from two good friends and close competitors.
Their coach Mark Napier doesn’t really care who wins the event as long as they finish well, getting the team as many points as possible. Napier, or “Napes” as the team refers to him, thinks Herring may have the edge at the Big Ten tournament simply due to his experience.
“Len always seems to step up for big meets and Big Ten’s is a big meet,” Napier said.
The team will also have an advantage this year with the Big Ten tournament being held in Madison May 17th through the 19th. Herring seems to draw on the energy from the crowd when he jumps — getting a clap from the crowd that starts off slow and gets faster as he approaches the board. Herring and his teammates hope to have thousands cheering them on. The team is attempting to repeat as Big Ten champions. Herring hopes to help the team as much as possible by repeating as Long Jump Champion, and regaining his triple jump title.
