When he laces up his track spikes, Austin Curbow is one of the best hurdlers in the country. But even when the meet is over and he settles down with an Xbox controller in his hand, the competition does not end.

“I’m very competitive, even if it’s not track,” Curbow said. Posting a 3.3 kill-to-death ratio in his favorite game, “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” videogames are Curbow’s second calling.

The gaming, however, does not interfere with his running. When Otterbein hosted the All-Ohio meet Feb. 11, the 17 other teams in attendance sat by and watched as Curbow posted an NCAA Division III best 8.01 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles for the 2012 season.

“Before (the race) I knew there was one kid who was relatively close to me. I knew if I got a good start, he couldn’t catch me,” Curbow said. “Techniquewise, it was probably the best race of my life. After the race I knew it was the best time.”

A native of Gahanna, Ohio, Curbow set the record just after coming back from a nagging hamstring injury. He strained his hamstring last season, and it has lingered this year, too.

“He has had a little trouble with injury (in the past); he really brings it for the big meets though,” teammate Mark Bayman said.

Curbow is a two-time All-American in the 55-meter hurdles (an event in which he holds the Otterbein record at 7.53 seconds) a six-time national qualifier and a six-time OAC champion.

“He’s just an all-around athlete. (The coaches) put him in the high jump earlier this season, and he went (6 foot 4 inches); he’s pretty versatile,” Bayman said. “This year we’re pretty confident that he’s going to beat everyone. He’s been pretty dominant.”

High jump is an event that Curbow saw in the past, however. In high school he ran the 110- and 300-meter hurdles as well as competed in the high jump. Now he mainly competes in the 55- and 110-meter hurdles.

Curbow also played football as a freshman and sophomore in high school, but his favorite memory from his four years at Gahanna Lincoln High School came in an Ohio Capital Conference track meet. His senior year, Curbow won four events and achieved his personal best in every race he ran. That success carried over to college — Curbow placed fourth at nationals his junior year.

The success on the track carries over to success in the classroom. Curbow is a health promotion and fitness major with plans to become a head track coach and physical education teacher, both at the collegiate level.

Outside of the Clements Center, Curbow can be found playing Xbox, hanging out with friends or working at Fitness19 as a personal trainer. On race day, he will be found prepping for the meet.

“I always cut my hair the night before a state meet,” Curbow said. A fresh haircut accompanies clipped nails, a clean shave and his favorite socks.

Right before the race, Curbow’s iPod will be on a playlist that includes anything from country to rap to a little bit of rock.

“(I listen) to everything. Eminem is probably my favorite,” Curbow said.

Curbow and the Cardinals have just two meets left before the NCAA Tournament. Otterbein is set to host the OAC Championships Feb. 24-25 and then will hit the road for the Last Chance Meet at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, March 3.