TUCSON, Ariz. – After missing parts of the last two seasons with nagging injuries, redshirt junior Avery Mickens looks to finally be on the right track after an impressive debut to the 2017 indoor season. Today he took some time to discuss the meet of his life going all the way back to his freshman year at the 2014 Pac-12 Championships hosted by Washington State University.

"This was the first real championship meet that I had been to in college." Mickens said. "I was so excited to compete and the coaches were telling us we had a chance to get a top three finish, but we all had to perform well."

Mickens was ranked number two in the long jump that year and his goal was to finish in the top-three himself. Going into the meet his preparation, per usual, was the same as it always had been. His mindset, however, changed as his team's position in the standings fluctuated.

"My mindset during the meet was different, it was more aggressive because I wanted to help the team the best I could in my events and that caused me to take a more aggressive approach than I would have if it was any other meet." Mickens said.

At the end of the competition that aggressive mindset paid off as it lead Arizona's men to a top-three finish. In a loaded long jump field Avery was able to finish with a mark of 7.51 meters for third-place.

"Avery's performance as a freshman was very special." head coach Fred Harvey said.

At the time Mickens was less focused on how he performed and more focused on how the team did in the end result.

"I wanted to win." Mickens said. "I ended up with a third place finish but those points went to help the men's team get an overall third place finish as well."

For a freshman Mickens was extremely talented with rightfully high aspirations for himself. The last two seasons haven't treated him well, however, as injuries had his morale down by not allowing him to compete. 

"There came a point in time where I really considered hanging up my shoes because of how mentally bearing it was on me." Mickens said. "You work so hard for something and when it continuously fails it takes a toll on you. I am so happy I didn't though, this season has already made the wait worth it all."

Coach Harvey is happy to have him back as well after seeing him overcome that adversity that has lead Avery to the mental attitude he carries today.

"After those injuries derailed him for two years, I really feel we have not only one of the most talented physical athletes in the Pac-12, but with the mental strength Avery has gained it has made him one of the top athletes in the country." Harvey said.

This season has already gotten off to a terrific start for Avery, he has cleared a new indoor personal best at 7.57 meters (24' 10") for the third-best mark in the MPSF Conference. Even more impressively, Mickens has become a multi athlete, competing in his first ever heptathlon this past weekend at the University of Washington Invitational and taking second overall. Mickens has top-five conference marks in two events so far this season (long jump and heptathlon) and as he slowly gets back into the swing of things his expectations will only get higher.

"I want to become an All-American." Mickens said. "I want to win the Pac-12 long jump and eventually I want to jump eight meters."

As for those nagging injuries of the past, Mickens has learned to make peace with them.

"There is no control over it." Mickens said. "I am thankful for every practice that I compete in and can only hope to stay healthy for the rest of the season because nothing is gauranteed."