PRJ Exclusive: All Hail the Queen: Harrison Ready to Rule

Photos courtesy Virginia Tech Athletic Department

She is on a roll.  Queen Harrison has run sparingly so far but the 60m hurdler has been nothing short of spectacular in each of her meets during the 2010 indoor campaign.

She is an Olympian. She is an All-American. She is one of America’s most talented hurdlers and sprinters. And Harrison is looking to continue on that success at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions by taking the meet by storm.

Winning an NCAA title during senior season what it is about for Harrison.  But it won’t come without it’s own set of hurdles to clear.

“That is something I have had my eyes on, both indoor and outdoor, since I was a freshman here at Virginia Tech. My sophomore year before I got injured in the 4×1 during outdoor NCAAs, I really felt like it was my time to take the individual titles in the hurdles but I found out that there were other plans written for me that year making the Beijing Olympics. But I am definitely looking forward to NCAAs this year and all that could come out of it.”

She gave an exclusive interview to PreRaceJItters.

This is what she said:

PRJ: Thanks for taking time to speak with us. Congratulations on running a new indoor personal best and school record, 7.99 seconds in the 60m hurdles at the VT Elite Meet– the no. 1 time in the nation. How did you feel in the race and what were your expectations?

QH: Thanks and thank you for having me. I felt really great when I ran the 7.99, it was in the prelims so I had the ability to really focus on my race and work on the elements of my race that my coach and I have been really focusing on improving. In the finals when I ran 7.96 I felt like I put all those things together and with the help of the competition, I really pulled my best out that day. I didn’t have too many expectations but after consistently running 8.0s at the last two meets I felt like I definitely had a sub-8 race in me.

PRJ: Did you think going into the race you were capable of a sub-8 second race shape that early in the season?

QH: I wasn’t sure what I was capable of but I knew I wanted to go under 8 seconds. In practice I had been consistently running under 8 seconds but I knew that in order to do that in the race I would have to a really good start or have really great turnover at the end of the race.

PRJ: You placed third time in 2008 in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Championships. What are your goals for your final NCAA Indoor competition?

QH: I am usually not the type to really talk about my goals especially in huge championship situations, at least not place or time wise. I have a couple numbers in my head for prelims and finals but I like to hold on to those. However I do feel confident that I will run a very fast race. I have a couple weeks to really work on the sprinting aspect of my hurdle race and get quicker in between the hurdles so I have no doubt that NCAAs will produce some very fast times.

PRJ: What do you plan to run at the indoor NCAAs and what do you think it will take to win?

QH: To win I am sure it will take a sub-8 performance, I don’t know how far under 8 but I know that 8.0 will probably not suffice to win the championship.

PRJ: What would winning an individual NCAA title mean to you?

QH: A LOT!! That is something I have had my eyes on, both indoor and outdoor, since I was a freshman here at Virginia Tech. My sophomore year before I got injured in the 4×1 during outdoor NCAAs, I really felt like it was my time to take the individual titles in the hurdles but I found out that there were other plans written for me that year (Beijing Olympics). But I am definitely looking forward to NCAAs this year and all that could come out of it.

PRJ: It’s crazy to think that the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships are less than a three weeks away. What are your goals for each week in training and competition to make sure that you are peak shape for conference and beyond?

QH: My main goal for the next couple of weeks and for the rest of my career is to stay healthy. I have had more than my share of injuries so I am mostly focusing on staying healthy and taking all the necessary steps to do so. I am also going to be working on being quicker out the blocks and in between the hurdles. In the past, I always have had to come from behind in the short hurdles but now I feel like I am right there with my competitors going into the first hurdles. So now my goal is to be a step ahead of everyone going into the first hurdle and gradually accelerate through the rest of the race.

PRJ: At the VT Elite you put on a show, lowering your school record to 53.54 in the 400 meters. What does that race say about where you are right now?

QH: It tells me that the training I’ve been doing and the mind set I have this season is really paying off. I also think that is just a stepping stone to what else I can accomplish both this indoor season and outdoor season over 400 meters.

PRJ: You’re working your way back from an injury that ended your 2009 season and kept you from running in the outdoor NCAA Regional and Championship meets. How are you feeling and is the injury been completely behind you?

QH: I am so happy to say the injury is behind me and off my mind. I am feeling great except for hurting from our difficult practices every week lol. But other than normal soreness, I feel great and ready to continue on a winning season.

PRJ: What percentage of meets were you 100 percent healthy last season?

QH: During indoor ACCs last year when I was preparing for the 60m hurdles is when I originally injured myself and with the urgency to get back healthy I am not sure how many races I was actually 100 percent healthy after that. But I am looking to the present and future now and am hoping and praying for a much healthier career than I’ve had in the past.

PRJ: You competed in the 2008 Olympic Games as a collegiate sophomore – how has that experienced prepared you for this season?

QH: It really allowed me to not get stressed or overwhelmed in large stressful championship situations. When you’ve been on perhaps the biggest stage possible for track and field, I am better able to calm myself before meet situations and enjoy the large demanding atmosphere rather than be nervous from it.

PRJ: Who are some of the hurdlers that you look up to and strive to compare your self to? What have you learned from their techniques as you’ve watched them over the years?

QH: Honestly, there aren’t really any hurdles I would say I strive to compare myself to or really look up to. There are so many talented hurdles both in the US and other countries but I am looking to establish myself as a hurdler not short or long, just a hurdler and most of the hurdlers on the professional level are one or the other. Not to name names but I have seen a lot of passion in our hurdlers over the years and while some events are usually dominated by one select individual, the hurdles are pretty wide open to anyone so I am just looking to make my way right into that open space.

PRJ: With all puns intended, what has been the most difficult hurdle that you have had to overcome?

QH: I would say the changing of our coaching situation for the past two years. When you are really used to one coaching style and have seen the results from it, it is hard not to be skeptical of alternative workouts and coaching staff. So I would say that the large amount of changes, especially coming off of such a successful year as my sophomore one, and a couple injuries would have to be the most difficult hurdles to overcome.

PRJ: What is like to practice every day with Kristi Castlin, one of the NCAA’s top hurdlers?

QH: I think that practicing with someone else that not only has a similar level of talent as myself but also wants success as bad as I do, creates a great training situation for both of us. We do not practice going over hurdles together all the time because all of our coaches think we get way to competitive and end up working harder than they intended, but when we do work together it is very beneficial because she can execute certain aspects of the race better than I can and vice versa, so we are able to push each other to our full potential in that way.

PRJ: It’s six or seven months away but have you thought much about transitioning into the professional ranks and where you might want to be to do that?

QH: I have thought about it and I am both nervous and excited to transition into post collegiate track and field because it is like a whole new world out there. I think I will really have to adapt to not having that team comradery you have with your collegiate team but I am willing to take on the challenge. I am not sure where I want to do it yet because I am just focusing on the immediate future right now, but ask me the same question in a couple months and I’m sure I’ll have an answer.

PRJ: What skills do you feel you need to improve or work on at the next level?

QH: Definitely work on my speed and coming out of the blocks more powerful. A lot of short hurdlers have very powerful starts which give them an advantage going into the first hurdle and beyond, so I want to make sure that is something I work on and get better at by the end of my senior season.

PRJ: What are a few things people need to know about you personally and what you bring to the sport?

QH: Know about me personally? Hmm I am a really fun person to be around, in my opinion. LOL. I dance a lot at practice to the music in my headphones and really try to create a productive but fun training environment for myself and teammates. I love to dance, sing, and travel to new exciting places (minus the actual plane/car ride). I am sure I can transfer some of my fun and outgoing personality to the sport of track and field. Also, Flo Jo has been one of my track heroes not only in her running but with her unique uniforms and appearance. I think a lot of times people mistake women who play sports to be rough or tomboyish in nature but I am very much a girl so I want to definitely bring the beauty and fashion side to the sport of track and field with me also.

PRJ: You are from Virgina– which has been produced the likes of LaShawn Merritt and Charles Clark – just to name a few. Is Virginia underrated as a track and field powerhouse?

QH: Yes, I feel like Virginia is underrated as a powerhouse mostly because unlike some other states, most people are not looking to our state to produce track stars instead they are looking to what we offer in football or other sports so our facilities we have to run in or at are not up to par with other fields of play. But I think that in the near future I definitely believe Virginia will transition into being one of the powerhouse states in the country.

PRJ Interview: Battle Tested Lacy Cramer Ready For Another Physical Race

Lacy Cramer is above average-height at 5-7, runs with reckless abandonment and is good at making the lives of competitors difficult.

But as the reigning indoor 800m NCAA champion, Cramer has proven herself to be a smart racer. She took the inside lane in the final meter of last years indoor NCAA 800m race to claim her first individual title.

Cramer is ranked seventh nationally in the 800 meters with a time of 2:04.85, less than one week before the indoor national championships.

The last several NCAA indoor finals of the 800m races have been physical with jostling and elbowing.  BYU runner Lacy Cramer couldn’t hide her glee thinking about running in the NCAA 800m indoor final in Fayetteville, Arkansas on March 15 to 15.

“Oh, I expect it for sure I expect a physical race,” Cramer said. “I got spiked four times last year and expect this year to be even more rough because I am not going to come from last place like last year. I want to be up in all the action.”

Cramer spoke exclusively with PreRaceJitters:

PRJ: What clicked in the 800 meter final at the NCAA national championship 800-meter race, when you passed Phoebe Wright in lane 1 with less than 10 meters to win?

LC: I was just at the right place at the right time. I could hear my coach just as the inside lane open up. You just can’t think - just act, so I passed her on the inside.

PRJ: What thoughts were going through your mind as soon as you crossed the finish line to win the NCAA women’s indoor 800m title last year?

LC: It was almost unreal. It really did not even sink in for a while. It was just an amazing dream that I never thought was possible. It was probably the greatest moments of my life. Even as I watch the videos now I can still feel that magical feeling.

PRJ: Last year you appeared composed in the 800 meters at the indoor NCAAs race. Were you nervous? Was it intimidating running against the likes of Geena Gall, Latavia Thomas, Heather Dorniden, and Phoebe Wright?

LC: I was more nervous for the trials. I was ranked 13th or something going into nationals and just wanted to make all american. As for the finals I was just happy to be in the race and to be an all american. I did not know who any of those girls were till after the race. My coach just told me to be by Tennessee and LSU. I don’t remember girls until we talk to each other.

PRJ: How many miles per week do you run in the fall and spring?

LC: I usually get up to around 45 but it all depends on that week.

PRJ: How competitive is training on the same team with 800 meter runner Nachelle Stewart (2:05:27)?

LC: We do not work out together. She works out with the sprinters and I usually work out with Angela Wagner.

PRJ: You come into the season with a season’s best of 2:05.19, have you been able to handle more in terms of your training work load this season.

LC: My coach told me I will and I think I have. We are doing the same work outs as last year and I think I am just feeling stronger which is good.

PRJ: How has this season differed from last year?

LC: Well I feel more confident this year. Even though I am not training with Katie Palmer who I really miss, I have Angela there who works so hard. So I am glad that I have someone who pushes me every day.

PRJ: In big races, do you prefer to lead wire-to-wire or running in the pack?

LC: I usually like to run in the pack, but lately I have had to lead some races which I am starting to like better.

PRJ: What were your goals this year at the beginning of the season?

LC: I just want to get faster every year and I will be happy.

PRJ: Last years team included eight All-Americans, two nationals champions, and 15 Mountain West Conference champions while winning indoor and outdoor conference titles. What is this year’s squad capable of producing with both national champions and all eight All-Americans returning?

LC: I think this year is going to be even better. There are so many good girls on the team and I can not wait to see what we can do as a team.

PRJ: Will you do anything different to prepare for conference and indoor NCAAs?

LC: No just the same as last year. I might go to cafe rio a few more times more than last year just so I feel extra good.

PRJ: What is the biggest lesson you have learned from coach Patrick Shane?

LC: He taught me what is most important in life. School and religion and how I am doing come before we even talk about running. He truly knows what is important and really cares about everyone. He taught me how to work hard and how to have fun at the same time. I love Coach Shane and am so lucky to not only be his athlete, but his friend.

PRJ: What influenced your decision to sign with BYU?

LC: Umm…it was always something that I wanted to do. My brother and sister went there and there was never really other place that I really thought about going to. I still remember my dad making me go to the indoor track while we saw all the athletes working out there. My dad told me that I could run here one day. I thought it was a cool idea, but never thought it possible.

PRJ: What do you think of this talented BYU squad? Do you and teammate Katie Palmer ever train together?

LC: This is one of the most talented teams. Katie has been sick lately so I have been lucky to run with Angela.

PRJ: There is a lot of excitement surrounding the third ranked BYU women’s team, can you give me a sense of what the environment is like in the program?

LC: It is just a fun environment. Every day is so fun because all the girls are awesome.

PRJ: What motivates you?

LC: I guess it the feeling after you are done with a race. The satisfaction that everyone thinks that the 800 is a hard race and I love the feeling of accomplishing something that I never thought I could do.

PRJ: How did you get started running?

LC: My family has always been very active and just being around my brother and sister as they ran I guess I just have always thought I was going to be a runner as well.

PRJ: Who are your role models and why?

LC: I think it has always been my sister. She is the most amazing person ever. She taught me who I wanted to be and how to treat people. We are best friends even though we are four years apart. She always done what is right and will always be my biggest role models.

PRJ: How do you balance your academic workload with your running and social life?

LC: It is really hard to balance all three. I really am trying to do good in school right now so I spend a lot of my nights in the library. I am also getting married in two months which causes a little more stress in my life. What fun would I life be if it was easy though.

PRJ: What are your career goals if running doesn’t work out?

LC: I will go into coaching and teaching. I really want to pass on everything that I have learned to kids. I think I could help them love to work hard.

PRJ: Do you get prerace jitters?
LC: Just a little bit. You always need to be a little nervous before any race.

PRJ: Good luck this season and we’ll certainly be watching.

Indiana Sophomore to compete in Big Ten Indoor Championships this weekend

By Jeremy Rosenthal, IUHoosiers.com feature writer

In seventh grade Chelsea Blanchard had doubts about being on the track and field team, since running around in circles appeared very boring.

Seven years later, Blanchard now holds the fifth-fastest time in Indiana school history in both the indoor 3,000-meter run and mile events.

In middle school, the Fort Wayne, Ind. native first wanted to be a cheerleader, but her father stepped in and offered his advice.

“He knew my personality probably wouldn’t mesh with that,” Blanchard said. “He had run in high school a couple years and thought that would be a better fit.”

It turned out he was right.

Blanchard said her dad forced into cross country in junior high school, but she had a lot of fun at practice, which would often consist of running around and playing tag with her teammates. She fell in love with the sport and continued to compete in cross country and track and field throughout high school.

When she graduated from Carroll High School, Blanchard departed with school records in four events, including a mile time of 4:58. She was also ranked in the top-10 academically.

Despite her great success in high school, initially the thought of running in college seemed a little daunting for Blanchard.

“I thought going to college where it seems so much more serious wasn’t going to be that same sense of fulfillment, but I just love it,” she said. “Everyday we come to practice and everyone on the team is wonderful and everyone is so different. It is a nice dynamic.”

In her first year as a Hoosier, Blanchard was thrust into being one of the top girls on the cross country team. IU head coach Ron Helmer said she put in more work in her first year then any other freshman he has coached.

IU assistant coach Rebecca Walter said Blanchard worked very hard and put in consistent training, but that the program is one that takes time to see results.

“I think she handled it very well,” Walter said. “It is showcased by how well she is performing her sophomore year.”

In her freshman year Blanchard placed 33rd at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Her second time around she earned All-Region honors with a 14th place finish.

After a solid performance at the Regional meet, Blanchard and her teammates received a bid to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2004. Blanchard said it was an emotional high and felt like everything was right in the world.

In a rollercoaster of emotions the women’s cross country team finished a disappointing 31st at the national meet.

Blanchard said it was a stab in the heart, but she tried to find a positive from the experience.

“It seemed like everyone was thinking how did we let this happen,” she said. “It’s one of the worst feelings in the world and you never ever want to feel that way again. It was good for us because it was like ‘what do you want to do and how are you not going to let this happen again?’”

On the bus ride home Walter said Blanchard showed signs of maturity by asking what she could do to improve and really listening to the answer.

So far the improvement has been fairly obvious in the indoor track season. A year ago Blanchard ran a personal best time of 9:51 in the 3,000-meter run. At the Tyson Invitational this season she won her race in an NCAA provisional time of 9:24. Walter said she thinks there is still more room for improvement.

“I think her improvement is not going to stop anytime soon, now that she has everything in place,” Walter said. “She has stuck with it long enough that it is going to pay off.”

In addition to her athletic talent, Blanchard brings a vibrant smile to the track everyday and is described as fun to coach.

“I think she brings a lot to the team,” Walter said. “One of the big parts of the way we want to build our program is, it’s not just about your athletic talent, but it’s the way you go about your business. If you look at workouts as being an opportunity to have some fun and leave it on the track, and I think she has really embraced that this year.”

Outside of her sport, Blanchard is pursing a degree in visual art education and would someday like to be an art teacher. She said her art teacher in high school, Mr. Kilmer, who also used to coach cross country, is a close friend and thought she would enjoy running.

Even though Blanchard has a chance to earn individual accomplishments, she is most excited about this weekend’s Big Ten Championships because she gets to share the experience with all of her roommates. Joining her will be fellow runners Helene Delone, Breanne Ehrman and Kelsey Duerksen, marking the first time that the four roommates will compete together at a Big Ten meet.

For someone who thought track and field would be a boring sport, Blanchard is enjoying it greatly and is a leader on the team.

“She has grown really nicely into a leadership role,” Walter said. “I don’t know if she even knows that yet, but I know a lot of the girls are really looking up to her now.”

PRJ Podcast: Molly Beckwith battles injuries to Get to Top

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You may not know her name; chances are after the 2010 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship - you will know the name Molly Beckwith. She already owns a 2:02.51 outdoor personal best at 800m and is dead set on being the best.

A handful of knee surgeries. New Sport. New Coach. None of the aforementioned obstacles were enough to derail the Indiana’s Molly Beckwith mission to get to top the of 800m rankings.

Were it not for a career ending knee injury, Beckwith may have played out her career as a soccer player. Yet because she would not quit, bend or break, she may stand as a testament to perseverance.

The Worthington, Ohio native is leading a top-ranked Indiana squad into the Big 10 indoor conference and NCAA Championships with high hopes of coming out on top.

Beckwith shares with PreRaceJitters how she fought her way at Indiana University to become one of college track and field’s elite collegiate runner and one of the best in school history.

Special thanks to Indiana University. Song Bye Bye Bye courtesy of echoed.

PRJ Podcast: For Georgia’s Torrin Lawrence, Peaking at Nationals Is the Plan

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

2010 Indoor Season’s Best

• 200 meters: 20.80, Virginia Tech Elite, 2/5/10
• 300 meters: 32.32, Hokie Invitational, Collegiate Record, 1/23/10
• 400 meters: 45.03, Tyson Invite, World Leader, 2/11/10

If you aren’t familiar with him, you had better ask somebody about the pure-talent 200 / 400m runner.

For all accounts, Georgia’s Torrin Lawrence is having an historic season, running at pace that can’t be ignored. Earlier this season, the sophomore rattled off a new indoor 300m collegiate record and currently lays claim to the fastest 400 meter time in the world.

But he is not satisfied. Lawrence is focused and determined to deliver his best 400m performance to win his first NCAA title at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas and bringing up the Bulldogs program in the process.

In this exclusive interview, Lawrence discusses gunning for an NCAA Champion and how good this Georgia Bulldog squad can be this season.

Special thanks to the University of Georgia. Song Bye Bye Bye courtesy of echoed.

PreRaceJitters’ Exclusive Q & A: New Mexico’s Lee Emanuel

By sportswriter Cheryl Lowe

Albuquerque, New Mexico (February 4, 2010)-Lee Emanuel  saw an opportunity, and went for it with determination and the vision that he was going to run the fastest mid-distance races he has ever run in his life.

Emanuel, who is currently working on a Master’s degree in Physical Education transferred to University of New Mexico in 2007 after finishing his undergraduate degree at Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Before he arriving in the United States, Emanuel saw the need for a change in his running routine, and ultimately, his career.

He certainly changed since training at high altitude in Albuquerque, NM.

The two-time All-American’s rapid rise to the top of the NCAA podium within the past two seasons has provided him with an NCAA bronze medal in the 1500m, Mountain West Conference honors, UNM school records, and the Mt. Sac Relays meet record in the outdoor 1500m (3:37.99 PB).

Emanuel is the first Lobo since 1977 to win a gold medal at an NCAA meet in 2009, where he won the indoor mile title in 4:00.36 at the NCAA Indoor National Championship meet at Texas A&M University.

PreRaceJitters’ Cheryl Lowe talks with Lee about his career in the United States, and what is ahead for him in 2010.

PRJ: You have had a lot of success over the last couple years –rewriting the Lobo record books, winning a NCAA individual title, and earning all-American honors. What is the most important lesson you learned last season?

LE: I have learned to always believe in myself. When I came over to the NCAA, during my first year I was kind of in awe of my opponents. In that year Leo Manzano was seen as being untouchable and I kind of bought into that. In my second year I thought to myself I need to step up and start believing I could do what Leo did.

PRJ: How did you get into running?

LE: Back home in England I was a football player, or soccer player, as I have had to start calling it! The first time I realized I could run well was when I was about 9 or 10 and in are PE classes before we did anything else we always had to run a round the field which was probably about 300 meters. In 2 years I never lost so that was the first time I realized I could run well. When I went to secondary school, aged 11, I ran x-country a few times a year and as I played football every day I was always pretty fit. I first started training at 14 after a local coach told me he thought I could be good at running.

PRJ: When you were growing up whom did you model your running after?

LE: I never really watched distance running when I was young. I missed the era when Great Britain was dominant at middle distance running with the likes of [Sebastian] Coe, [Steve] Ovett and [Steve] Cram. I used to like watching the shorter events such as the 100 and 400. I remember being a fan of Linford Christie, but that may have just been because he was one of the guys that was always running on TV.

PRJ: What influenced your decision to attend New Mexico?

It just seemed like the right place to be. I emailed probably 50 coaches in the NCAA and only a handful got back to me. Out of these Coach Franklin was always the most interested and was the first to offer me the chance to come out here, since then I had a lot of trust in him. Added to this was the success he had with athletes from Britain in the past such as Becky Lynn and Scott Overall. He just seemed like a good guy to go with. I was originally going to Butler with him but when he left I decided to switch to New Mexico. The weather, facilities and altitude in Albuquerque made this decision easy, and I do not think I could have made a better choice for a school to attend.

PRJ: Did your finish at Indoor Nationals surprise you?

LE: Not really, I knew I was in great shape and my I went down to Texas with the mind set that I had a chance to win the title. I had run a good DMR leg the weekend before in the last chance meet and knew that I was in great shape. I wanted to take advantage of this, I believed that I had the ability to win a national title and on that day I just felt ready to do it.

PRJ: Which race is your most memorable during your time at New Mexico?

LE: I have had some great times running in a Lobo uniform, the most memorable race of my time here was a race I didn’t do particularly well in. The race was this x-country season when we won the Mountain West Conference for the first time. We travelled to our conference rivals BYU who had won conference 10 years in a row and were ranked as one of the top teams in the country so to beat them was amazing, especially in there home town. Winning nationals was pretty cool too, but winning and celebrating as a team was something that was very special.

PRJ: You are the defending mile NCAA Indoor Champion – when did the “light go on” and you realized that you could run at a very high level?

LE: When I was younger I didn’t really train that often and I always seemed to win so I always knew I was pretty good. I came out to the America with the intention to compete at the top level. Probably the first time I realized I could compete at a high level was at the Sun Angel Classic at Arizona State in 2008. I came fifth in the race and was beaten by Lopez [Lomong], [Chris] Solinsky, [Matt] Tegenkamp, and John Reilly and was within a second of all those guys. When I got back home I don’t think anyone could believe I had got so close to these great guys.

PRJ: What are your goals for 2010?

LE: My goals for this year are to try and get as many points for New Mexico as I can in the Conference and National meets. Running fast times are great but winning championships is what defines athletes in my opinion. I will be looking to peak for the NCAA championships and will be racing to win.

PRJ: What are your preparations to repeat winning the indoor mile?

LE: I am training hard and there is not much else I can really do. I think I am ahead of where I was at this point of last year so am pleased with how things are going. I have got the auto time for the mile out of the way nice and early so I can relax with the knowledge that I have booked my ticket to Arkansas already and start focusing on being in optimum shape for March the 12^th.

PRJ: You once said in an interview that your coach Joe Franklin, told you “the stronger you are, the quicker you can finish.” How has that influenced you?

LE: I did not believe him at first, the first time I raced a mile for him I got beat pretty badly. He asked me what I thought we should do next. I said speed work he said the opposite. I thought he was wrong but he proved himself completely right, which was annoying!! Last year I had my greatest ever year without once putting my spikes on for a training session and the fastest I ran all season in training was 28 seconds so it seems to work for me.

PRJ: What runners are you excited about toeing the line with this season?

LE: The competition will be fierce this year especially in the 1,500/mile. I am excited to test myself against the top guys like, German and Centro who have given me a good and honest race every time I have come against them. The way German won Nationals was phenomenal; I could only take my hat of too him on that day. I am hoping there will be a lot more athletes from our group here in New Mexico are involved in the big races this year; Rory Fraser is doing great right now, and Dave Bishop, Ross Millington, Sam Evans, Jacob Kirwa and Chris Barnacle are all looking great in training at the moment so am hopeful I will be on the line with a lot of these guys at NCAA’s this year.

PRJ: What are your favorite training and racing shoes?

LE: We are a Nike school so all my shoes are Nike, which is great as I love there kit. I run in Pegasus every day, race in Nike Victory’s or Matumbos depending on the race. I do workouts in Katanas or Marathoners again depending on what we are doing.

PRJ: Do you get prerace jitters?

LE: Not really, I love racing and the bigger the race the more I enjoy it. I get nervous of course everyone does but I am not too bad and am always pretty relaxed before races.

PRJ: Thank you for your time and best of luck this season.

PreRaceJitters Exclusive Q&A: Ahmad Rashad quickly making a name for himself in track

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - You can’t help but recognize the resemblence.

The name is Rashad, Ahmad Rashad, yes the same as former the NFL great best known for his heroic moves as a member of the Minnesota Vikings from 1976 to 1982.

Many recall the “Miracle Catch” against the Cleveland Browns that helped secure a come-from-behind 28-23 victory in December 1980 and a Central Division title for the Vikings. But in 2010, this Ahmad Rashad is looking to create his own moments to be remembered for.

USC sprinter Rashad finally got to show what he could do on the track at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships after two years of set backs with injuries after showing promise.  He tried to remain patient and waited for opportunities while injuries cut his freshman and sophomore seasons short of their full potential.

Going into the 2009 NCAA Outdoor, none of the well-respected pre-meet polls had him in the mix.  But Rashad finished the race with a second place finished in 10.10 seconds against a deep field of elite sprinters.

This year, Ahmad Rashad is not satisfied with last years second place finish at the NCAA Outdoors. The Flint, Michigan-native is hungry for track’s biggest title, the 100m NCAA title and helping put USC in the middle of contentions for the team championship crown.

Rashad hopes he continues to improve and have more success against elite fields.  But he also knows it is up to him to continue to make a name for himself.

PreRaceJitters sat down with All-American sprinter Ahmad Rashad to talk about his journey, his inspirations, and predictions on the 2010 season.

PRJ: What is the story behind you being named Ahmad Rashad?

AR: My dad got the name from the former pro football player and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad. My dad was a fan of his and I guess that’s how it came about. I actually got to meet him. He called me at school and everything; that was an experience.

PRJ: Your dad, Kevin Rashad is a fan of former NFL football player Ahmad Rashad.  The former NFL Viking made a name for himself in the NFL as a gritty player that made big plays.  What if any resemblances are there between the two of you?

AR: I’d say that I’ve made a lot of big plays as far as track goes throughout my career.

PRJ:  When you talked to Ahmad Rashad, what advice did he give you?

AR: It was around the time when my mother passed away so he gave me his condolences. I haven’t  seen him in person since, but I’m sure if we cross paths again we will have a lot to talk about.

PRJ: When did you fall in love with track and field?

AR: As a freshman in high school. The first time I dropped the baton on a relay, I laid out on the track disappointed in myself. After that point, I knew I had love for the sport.

PRJ: What runner or athlete did you look up to when you were younger?

AR: I looked up to Maurice Greene and Michael Johnson. They broke a lot of records and won Olympic gold medals medals and that was something I aspired to do also.

PRJ: What is the biggest inspiration in your life?

AR: My parents are my biggest inspiration. My father is a strong individual and always pushed me to be the best at what ever I was doing. My mother passed away some years ago and I know that she would want to see me strive to be successful.

PRJ: Your first two years at USC, you battled injuries and showed flashes of success. How do you think those experienced helped your develop as a sprinter?

AR: Those experiences helped me to understand the sport and grow as an athlete. I realized that with success comes adversity and dealing with that helped my mind develop a toughness to deal with the injuries.

PRJ: Since we are talking about battle injuries. What happened differently last year?

AR: I was preventative in my approach to injury. Instead of waiting for an injury to happen I did a lot of work to prevent them. Also just naturally maturing and strengthening I think helped out a lot.

PRJ: Your close to the 2009 collegiate season was amazing. You ran 10.10, which was a personal best in your second-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. How much confidence did that race give you?

AR: That 100 meter race in Fayetteville, gave me a lot of confidence. I always thought that I could run with the best in the NCAA but with injuries it prevented me from actually going out and doing it. That race finally allowed me to realize that I can run with the best.

PRJ: USC traditionally does not participate in the indoor season. Is there any chance that you will run indoors?

AR: No. I won’t be running indoor this season. I’m just focusing on the outdoor season this time around.

PRJ: When did you anticipate kicking off your outdoor season?

AR: I anticipate getting things rolling around mid-march.

PRJ: What is your challenge going into the 2010 season?

AR: My challenge is being one of the hunted instead the hunter. Typically I’ve been the hunter so the reversal of roles will be a challenge.

PRJ: This is your last year of the USC –UCLA duel. How serious is the rivalry?

AR: The USC - UCLA rivalry is more than serious. You would think people lived for that meet. I know my teammates have been talking about it already so I know they’re ready. The coaches put a lot of emphasis on that meet so you know its serious. It’s fun and something I look forward to every season.

PRJ: Last year USC’s men and women squads finished in the top ten and a majority of last years scorers are returning this season.

AR: I know that my teammates always strives to finish well as a team and its no different this year both on the men’s and women’s side. Everyone is excited after last season when expectations were low for what position we would finish. I think that has given the entire program motivation to do better this year.

PRJ: The 2010 USC team features a lot of up and coming underclassman who did well last year at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. How good is this team?

AR: I believe this team has tremendous talent and can place in the top 5 at the national meet.  Our men’s and women’s 4×4 teams did well at the NCAA outdoor championships. Everyone from both those relay teams are coming back, plus we have some new guys that came in that we expect to really step up this season and contribute immediately.

PRJ: This is your senior year. What is your ultimate goal for your college career?

AR: My ultimate goal is to become the NCAA champion at 100 meters.

The Runoff:
PRJ: What is your biggest fear?
AR: Small planes

PRJ: What is your most treasured possession?
AR: My autographed picture of sportscaster Ahmad Rashad.

PRJ: Who would you like to play you in a film?
AR: Jamie Foxx

PRJ: How do you relax?
AR: Watch cartoons.

PRJ: Do you get prerace jitters?
AR: Yes.

PRJ: Thank you for your time and good luck this season.

PreRaceJitters’ Q&A: Arizona’s Liz Patterson Flying to the Next Level

The Dallas-area native high jumper is looking to end her collegiate career on top.

In a battle of the best, she battled Destinee Hooker at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships pushing the eventual winner NCAA to set a new collegiate record (6-6), while at the same time grabbing the best performance of her life at 6-4.75.

This year is about Liz Patterson getting to the next level, leaving her mark on the game, and proving she can dominate from week and week in the 2010 season. Coming into the indoor season, the Arizona senior is arguably the top jumper posting the nation’s best jump of 6-3.25 at the Lumberjack Invitation in the January 16 season opener.

PreRaceJitters.com caught up with Patterson to discuss the 2010 season and more.

PRJ: If I asked your friends to describe you  and to tell me a little about you – what would they say?

LP: I think they would say I’m a fun, laid back person and easy to get along with.

PRJ: Where do you hail from and how did you get involved in track and field?

LP: I was born in Dallas and raised in Beaumont, TX. I chose to run track because I did not make the volleyball or basketball teams. Track was the only sport in my middle school that anyone could participate in.

PRJ: Describe your first track and field competition?

LP: I was in the 7th grade when I had my first track meet. I thought I was so cool because I was finally part of a team. That year I only ran the 300m hurdles, so track meets were really a time when I hung out with my friends and met new ones.

PRJ: How old were you when you first cleared five feet?

LP: I cleared 5 feet for the first time when I was in the 9th grade.

PRJ: How do your personal records (prs) from high school compare to where you are right now and how has your knowledge of training and competing evolved in the process?

LP: In high school I had a pr of 1.75m in the high jump and now my best is 1.95m. In college I have learned so much about the fundamentals of high jump. While I was in high school my objective was very basic, which was to just run and jump as high as I could at the time.

At Arizona, my coaches have taught me how important it is to lift weights, do plyos, and to consistently run a good approach to the bar. I have matured as an athlete and try to use my knowledge and experiences to help out my younger teammates whenever I can.

PRJ: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far as an athlete?

LP: Winning NCAA’s in 2008.

PRJ: What was your training like in the fall semester?

LP: Fall training went well. I feel stronger and faster this year. I also spent a lot of time taking care of my body to help prevent aches and pains.

PRJ: Last season you had another impressive season earning two national runners up in College Station and Fayetteville. Ultimately it came down to a two person jump off between you and Texas’ Destiny Hooker to determine the national champion. What did you learn from those experiences?

LP: From those experiences I learned that I must continue to push myself and to remain positive. I’m glad I jumped against Destinee in those meets. I love her competitiveness and drive. She pushed me to obtaining indoor and outdoor pr’s last season.

PRJ: What is your meet strategy in terms of when you come into the competition?

LP: I go into competitions with a positive mind set, and focus on what I want to accomplish that day. My motto is, “Think good, do good”.

PRJ: How are you feeling going into the 2010 indoor season?

LP: I feel really good going into this indoor season. This is my last year and I want to have my best season ever. I’m excited for the season to start, yet sad that my college career is going to be over.

PRJ: What is your reaction to Destinee Hooker forgoing her final year at Texas to play pro volleyball?

LP: I’m excited for her and I know she will do well in her professional volleyball career.

PRJ: This is your senior year and you earned a national champion in 2008 and twice last year you earned runner up honors last season. It is often overlooked is that you set personal bests at indoor and outdoor nationals in those performances. What are your goals for this season and what are the goals of this Arizona team?

LP: My main goals for this season are to be better than I ever was in my previous seasons, and to go out on top. I still have a lot to learn and many things to practice on.

Our team goals are for both men and women are to place in the top 5 at Pac-10s, and to get as many regional and national qualifiers as we can. The team chemistry of this year’s team is the best it has ever been since I’ve been at Arizona. If we continue to push one another in practice and at meets we will reach and exceed our goals.

PRJ: Outside of what you are doing, how closely do you follow college and elite track and field?

LP: Since I’ve been in school I have really gotten into the sport. During the season I will look at results from different meets just to see how everyone is running, jumping, and throwing.

I wish track and field received more recognition in this country because it really is a fun and exciting sport.

The Run Off
PRJ: What song right now makes you makes your dance when it comes on?
LP: Six Tre G - Fresh Dressed.

PRJ: How did you spend your summer in 2009?
LP: I was enrolled in two class during summer school.

PRJ: What celebrity would you most like to meet?
LP: Beyonce, I would probably pass out if I ever met her.

PRJ: If you were not competing in track and field, what would you be doing?
LP: I would probably be playing volleyball or going to school somewhere back home.

PRJ: What is your pre-game ritual?
LP: Before leaving the hotel Jazzy Day [teammate Jasmin Day] and I put the jams on and sing and dance around. We do it before every meet.

PRJ: Kobe or D-Wade?
LP: Kobe

PRJ: Who would fit in most at your family reunion: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves or Prince, the musician?

LP: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, there are lots of comedians in my family.

PRJ: Name one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you.
LP: I play the viola.

PRJ: Do you get preracejitters?
LP: Yes, every meet!

PRJ: Liz, thank you for your time and best of luck this season.

PreRaceJitters Interview: The Mind of Lauren Centrowitz

She’s older now, she turned 23 on September 26 –but one thing about Lauren Centrowitz will never change: She’s plays it cool.

Centrowitz doesn’t take herself too seriously and isn’t afraid to laugh at herself. A trait that has served her well in her track career. She walks with a little swagger. It’s not overdone but it’s there.

Within track circles, she is known as the daughter of track legend Matt Centrowitz, a former U.S. record holder at 5,000 meters and head track coach at American University. She is also known as the sibling of Matt Centrowitz, the All-American sophomore runner at the University of Oregon.

She appeared at ease while competing in college under the scrutiny of the national spotlight as a track blue blood in storied program. It appeared almost methodical to watch Centrowitz drop her times over the last four years and progress into one of the United States’ most seasoned collegiate middle distance runners.

She made her presence known to her teammates and competitors while at Stanford.  Lauren Centrowitz played a pivotal role in helping the Cardinals win two nationals championships in cross country, earned All-American honors nine times and is the school’s record holder at 1,500 meters (4:10.23).

Against a stacked field, she showed poise, finishing sixth in the 1500 meters at 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June after running a long collegiate season. And then later in the summer, Centrowitz realized her dream: competing in her first runs in Europe this summer along with the sport’s elite runners.

Right now things are pop’n.  Lauren Centrowitz has packed her belongings and moved back home to the East coast. She is pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Policy at the University of Maryland and is training as a member of her father’s training group to get ready for her first full season in 2010 as a rookie on the professional track and field circuit.

But don’t let her lofty education pursuits fool you. In this interview, a lighthearted Centrowitz talks with PreRaceJitters about politics, competing against her brother Matthew, and of course Michael Jackson.

9 Things You Might Not Know About Lauren Centrowitz:

1. Her favorite political figure.
“If you look across history, I like Steven Colbert because he’s funny,” says a half-joking Centrowitz.

2. Post-collegiate Endeavors.
She is currently in her father Matt Centrowitz Pacer’s Racing Team training. Centrowitz says, “Officially my role is an athlete and unofficially my role is keeping my father happy for everyone else.”

3. Do or die.
“I simply can’t live without chocolate or my iPod.”

4. Michael Phelps fan.
Lauren confesses, “Michael Phelps is my favorite athlete outside of track and field. He’s also rep’n Maryland it’s just amazing to see an American athlete so dominant. I also have a lot of respect for swimmers because track and swimming are so similar.”

5. Playing Games.
Athletic families are known for sibling rivalries.  “I can beat my brother Matt in pretty much everything but running.  He can’t touch me in nertz, my favorite card game,” she laughs.

6.  A career in politics?
While Lauren’s preoccupied with running track and field, her education has meaning. After a long pause she responds, “My dream job in politics is anything that is behind the scene.”

7. New Job.
If Lauren were President of the United States for a day, she would focus on helping people. “I would provide universal healthcare because private interests shouldn’t come before people’s health, says Centrowitz.”

8. King of Pop.
My favorite Michael Jackson song is Can’t Stop Till You Get Enough.

9. Always Remembered.
She remembers the moment clearly.  Centrowitz recalls, “I was watching E! News, a couple hours before my 1500m prelim at USA’s, when they cut the program to announce that MJ had died. I immediately changed the channel because I didn’t want to get upset before my race.”

PreRaceJitters.com Interview: Trey Harts Bringing Sprinting Back To Baylor

Photo by Baylor Sports Information.

He left big shoes to fill.  Michael Johnson in 1990 was the last sprinter donning the green and gold to win an NCAA 200 meter title.  That is until Trey Harts enrolled at Baylor.  The school has a reputation in the 400 meters and mile relay that includes Baylor’s mile relay earning All-American honors for 29 years in a row and 19 NCAA titles along with a string of NCAA 400 meter champions.

Harts wanted to have em’ on their feet and cheering again on the national stage for the Baylor sprinters.  The Lake Charles, Louisiana junior has guided the Baylor 4×100 meter relay to 39.25 seconds this season and the fouresome are currently ranked among the elite relay teams, positioned to contend for an NCAA 4 x 100 meter relay title.

In March, Harts wrote his name in the NCAA history books, winning the 200 meters at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Harts put down a personal-best time of 20.63 to win the event, and in the process produced the second-fastest time in Baylor history behind Michael Johnson 20.59 set at the NCAA Championships in 1989.

Harts presence in Waco, Texas is a common denominator to the return to these glory days.

PreRaceJitters caught up with Trey Harts and here is what he had to say:

PRJ: Congratulations on breaking Michael Johnson’s 200 meter stadium record at the Michael Johnson Classic this season. What experience did you get from running against former Baylor athlete Jeremy Wariner for the first time, along with Olympic gold medalist Reggie Witherspoon and former U.S. indoor national champion Michael Rodgers? What did you learn from racing against this group of experienced professional runner that will help with upcoming national competitions?

TH: Running against Jeremy, Reggie, and Mike was a great experience. They are some young and talented runners and I look up to each of them. One thing that I noticed about them is that they always seem to find a way to stay composed before a race. I know that is something that I need to do in the future as I run against them later on in my career.

PRJ: Throughout this season at different times, you have talked about bringing attention to Baylor’s sprinting program. What does it mean to bring attention to your school with what you have been able accomplish so far during the 2008 – 2009 season?

TH: Having more recognition come to Baylor’s short sprint program really means a lot to my coaches, my teammates, and myself. We take just as much pride in our events just like the quarter milers do. Every prestigious athletic program has to start out at the bottom and earn its respect and my teammates and I decided to take the first step in truly earning that respect from the track and field community.

PRJ: Last year you put up some impressive numbers, running 10.31 in the 100 and 20.44 at 200. So far this season you’ve run personal bests at both races. What has been the key to your success and improvement this year?

TH: The key to my success this year, in my opinion, has been me staying focused on my long-term goals. I try to be as consistent as possible in all my races. I know that it is difficult to actually PR in every race at every meet but putting forth that effort helps me accomplish my consistency goal.

PRJ: During the indoor season you ran the 60 meters, 200 meters and lead off leg of the national championship 4×400 meter relay.  What has been the thought process throughout the outdoor about you running on the mile relay?

TH: As it stands right now, I do plan on running on many more mile relays, if any at all, this season. I enjoy running the mile relay but I also want to finish a season healthy and compete at the U.S. Championships and I have found it difficult to stay healthy when I run the 100m, 200m, 4×100m, and 4×400m every week during the outdoor season. If I am ever needed to run on the 4×4, I will not hesitate to step in but until that time comes, I will cheer my teammates on from track side.

PRJ: You find yourself running a number of different races throughout the season. What is a typical week of training for you and how do you mentally prepare yourself to compete in such a variety of races?

TH: My week of training is very different from my teammates. I do a combination of running on the track and running barefoot in the grass. The grass runs were implemented in order to reduce the pounding on my shins but it seems like they have also served to help my acceleration. The runs on the track are longer than my grass runs and they help with speed endurance.

PRJ: Going backwards for a moment. You won the NCAA 200 Meter Indoor Title, how would you describe this season so far?

TH: This season has been so much more than what I could have ever hoped for. I normally go into a season just wanting to perform better than I did the last season; I never start out thinking about winning championships. I just happened to be ready to run fast enough to win a national title this season.

PRJ: Who has had the biggest influence on your track career so far?

TH: My parents are the biggest influence on my track career. At every meet, at least one of them are present. They have never forced me to stick with running track but they have always challenged me to be the best at whatever I do. They are the reason that I have discipline and dedication to my sport.

PRJ: How do you see the final stages of the 2009 outdoor season?

TH: I try my best not to predict how the rest of my season will go; I take things day by day. All I can say is that if I am able to stay healthy, I will run faster than I have ever run before.

PRJ: What is your most valuable asset as a sprinter?

TH: I think my most valuable asset as a sprinter is my versatility. In high school, I competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. There are not many people who can run all three of these events well and I take pride in being one of the select few who can accomplish this.

PRJ: You have the final stages of the outdoor season this year and your senior season next year of eligibility remaining. What do you want your legacy at Baylor and on the collegiate running scene to be when your career is completed?

TH: The sport of track and field for Americans has recently been tarnished with steroid scandals from former great athletes. I want future track and field athletes to see that you do not have to cheat in order to be great and with a little bit of hard work, discipline, and luck the possibilities of what a person can do are limitless. I want my legacy to be a clean one that can be admired and respected.

PRJ: Trey thanks so very much for your time and we wish you the best of luck with the rest of your season.

Next Page »