Buzzer-beating attitude

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior Dee Dee Buzzi takes off in the pole vault during practice at Drachman Stadium in Tucson before the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, earlier in the season. Buzzi finished her career well after a slow start at Arizona, when an ankle injury and severe stomach illness caused her to redshirt her freshman year.

Especially in the first part of her athletic career with Arizona's track and field team, Buzzi had to deal with more setbacks than many people have to in their entire life. After having to redshirt the entire freshman season due to ankle surgery, the toughest test of Buzzi's endurance and will was yet to come, represented by a severe stomach illness that put everything she worked for at stake.

"(The illness) took away two years of competition and forced me to drop some classes at the university. The doctors told me there was a good chance that I couldn't do any sports again in my life because I wouldn't have enough energy," Buzzi said.

There were two important factors responsible for Buzzi's return and ability to compete at a better level than ever: her will not to give up and assistant coach Fred Harvey, who recruited her from Washburn High School in Lawrence, Kan.

Harvey's role with the team goes far beyond that of one coach.

"He didn't only teach me things about athletics, but also about life. I consider him one of my best friends. When I was down, he gave me a great quote to cheer me up, which said 'The only good luck that most people have is the will to overcome bad luck'," Buzzi said.

"During this time I talked a lot with Dee Dee, because many athletes in her situation make the mistake to rush things and risk their career. I just told her to be patient and take one step at a time, which was hard to accept at that time because to compete was what she liked the most," Harvey said.

Throughout the following months of anxiety surrounding whether she would ever be able to come back, Buzzi worked hard and refused to let unfavorable circumstances destroy her dream of becoming a professional.

"I didn't even think about quitting, I just thought that they (the doctors) must be wrong. On top of that, along with the help of my coaches, I invested a lot of hard work," Buzzi said.

She considered this period as a necessary experience and even instructive for her life.

"I believe that everything happens for a specific reason and it doesn't help to feel self pity about what occurred. I have to look forward to how I'm going to be and not think what has been in the past," Buzzi said.

In fact, Buzzi can have high expectations for her future, since the NCAA granted her an additional year of collegiate competition due to hardship with injuries and the severe illness, which caused Buzzi to miss more than two terms of her athletic career.

Prior to this season, the 24-year-old exercise science graduate put emphasis on hurdle events (55, 100 and 400 meters), which she got acquainted with through her father, who also competed as a hurdler at the collegiate level. Buzzi had many successes in these disciplines, especially in 1997, when she set a school record and seventh-fastest Pacific 10 Conference time in history with her time of 13.21 in the 100 hurdles.

"It was some kind of redemption for everything I have gone through during my career. I embraced coach Harvey after the finish line, because without him this wouldn't have been possible. This was definitely the highlight of my career so far," Buzzi said.

Despite this success, she changed her main event in August to the pole vault. Buzzi's decision to switch events was greatly influenced by the fact that since her childhood she always wanted to compete in the pole vault, and better opportunities exist in pursuing a professional career.

"As far as my chances to be on the Olympic team in 2000 are concerned, I really think my future is in the pole vault," Buzzi said.

"With her talent and ambition, she can be a much bigger factor for us this season in the pole vault than in the hurdles," UA head coach Dave Murray said.

With a provisional mark already set for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June and many top results in competitive meets this season, Buzzi has shined in the pole vault.

However, her duty within the team and even in the community is not limited to athletic performance. As the co-captain, Buzzi gives valuable advice to freshmen and serves as a good example for others to follow her fighting attitude and motivation.

"She is a role model for every one of us because she is totally dedicated to the team and never complains about anything. We look upon her for what she had to go through to achieve her goal," junior Amy Skieresz said.

Buzzi plans to give herself another two years of competition to reach the top of the world track scene. Considering the challenges she already overcame and her recent performances, including a fifth place finish at the U.S. Indoor Championships this year, her capability is proven. She said the best guarantee to achieve her goals is to never stop dreaming, but also to put all the necessary effort to succeed.

"I realized that you should never let go of your dreams," she said, "even if it seems you have a big mountain to climb."