Hope College's 60-meter sprinters Justin Freeman, Korey Derr, and Emmanuel Harinda have a habit of meeting up together at the end of track & field meets this winter.
When you're the fastest in the building, it easily happens regularly.
The talented trio is looking for another reunion in the finals at the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Indoor Championships on Saturday at Trine University. The meet in Angola, Indiana begins at 9:30 a.m.
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All three runners are ranked in the top 10 for the fastest indoor 60-meter times among MIAA runners this season.
Photos, from left to right, Korey Derr, Emmanuel Harinda and Justin Freeman
Freeman leads the Hope contingent with a time of 7.05 seconds. The junior from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS) owns the third-fastest sprint of the season in the MIAA.
Harinda, a sophomore from Holland, Michigan (Holland), is tied for sixth at 7.11 seconds.
Derr, a sophomore Grand Rapids, Michigan (Northview), is tied for eighth at 7.12 seconds.
"We're essentially the same speed," Freeman said. "I was putting together shirts for the sprinters and came up with the word sprint mob. It reminded me of a pack. It's awesome to see the community we have formed in a quick amount time.
"When you're talking about sprints, you're dividing thousands of a second. Having three strong guys there to push us has been great."
Freeman is the veteran of the group. Derr and Harinda transferred to Hope this fall.
The three quickly became friends while still wanting to outrace each other.
"We have a friendly rivalry, but that rivalry makes us better prepared for the meet," Harinda said. "We all want us to do well all the time during our meets."
Derr enjoys when he and his teammates are able to not race each other until the last race.
"It's always nice in prelims when we're all in different heats because we can battle each other out," Derr said. "The Hope boys can get in the finals and show what we got."
All three bring different strengths to the 60-meters.
Derr is the fastest out of the blocks. Freeman — with the longest stride — is the best finisher. Harinda blends strong starts and closing speed.
Success in the sprints required putting everything together.
"The most important thing to running fast is your start at the blocks," Harinda said. "The starts normally determine the winner because if you get out faster than the others, you have a pretty good chance.
"You also have to make sure you breathe properly. I usually breathe twice during the 60-meter dash."
Focusing on the present is vital as well, Freeman said.
"We got to lock in and stay focused," Freeman said. "When you look at the heat sheets, times are pretty even. Times don't mean anything. It's what's going to happen that day. We know what we can do. We know what we're capable of."
Derr will reunite with his teammates Saturday morning after he finishes competing in the long jump.
"Once we all get together, we'll talk to each other and do our normal routine," Derr said. "We need to have some great starts off the blocks in prelims, then hopefully do some damage in the finals."
