PreRaceJittersTV 5-25-10

PreRaceJittersTV 5-25-10 from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Shanghai Diamond League
NCAA West Preliminary Meet
NCAA East Prelmininary Meet

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.

Destinee Hooker to forgo final year of track and field eligibility

Press Release Courtesy: University of Texas Athletics

Four-time National Champion will play professional volleyball.

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas All-American high jumper Destinee Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) has elected to forgo her final season of track and field eligibility to pursue a professional volleyball career.

Hooker, a two-sport All-American on the Forty Acres, leaves Texas as one of the most decorated athletes in Longhorn history. On the track, Hooker claimed four individual national titles, six All-America honors and six individual Big 12 titles. She also set school and NCAA records in the indoor high jump (6-6, 1.98m) and tied the UT outdoor high jump record (6-4.75/1.95m).

“We’re very happy for Destinee and wish her all the best in her career,” University of Texas Women’s Track and Field head coach Beverly Kearney said. “We’re going to miss her, not only for the points she scored, but for the leadership and maturity she brought to the team. We’re so happy for her and all the great performances she has had at Texas, but this is so much more for her.”

Hooker, the 2008-09 Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year, also led the Texas Volleyball team to back-to-back NCAA Championship Semifinals appearances, including a trip to this year’s NCAA Championship match against Penn State. On the court, Hooker was a three-time AVCA All-American, four-time All-Big 12 First Team selection, the 2009 Big 12 Player of the Year and two-time Honda Award finalist.

“We are very excited for Destinee,” University of Texas Volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “She had a tremendous four years here, learning the game and growing as a player. Now she is able to take the next step in an incredible volleyball community. I know she will continue to improve and I’m excited about the possibility of her competing for a U.S. roster spot for the 2012 Olympics.”

PreRaceJitters’ Podcast #31 with Liz Patterson of Arizona

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

She is known to be an aggressive high jumper. Elizabeth Patterson found herself in an epic duel for the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships where she produced her personal best of 6-4.75 in her runner up finish.

The reigning 2008 NCAA champion would like to again make some serious noise in Fayetteville, Arkansas home of the 2009 NCAA Track & Field Championships. Patterson talks about her training routine, her goals for the NCAAs and much more.

Andra Manson, Texas Invite

Andra Manson, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

PreRaceJitters’ catches up with Olympian Andra Manson after wining the high jump in 7 feet, .25 inches.

University of Texas
Texas Invitational 2009 - 5/2/2009
Mike A. Myers Stadium Austin, TX

Event 38 Men High Jump
================================================================
Prog:1.90,1.95,2.00,2.05,2.10,2.14,2.18,2.21,2.24,2.27, 2.30
Myers Std: S 2.35m 4/4/2009 Andra Manson, Nike
NCAA Regl: R 2.10m
D2 Prov: & 2.05m
D3: % 2.02m
Name Year School Finals
================================================================
Finals
1 Manson, Andra Nike 2.14mR
1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10 2.14 2.18 2.25
P P P P P O P XXX
2 Bond, Devon SO Texas J2.14mR
1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10 2.14 2.18
P P P O XO XO XXX
3 Harris, Raymond SR Texas J2.14mR
1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10 2.14 2.18
P P P O XXO XXO XXX
4 Diggs, Ivan SR Houston 2.10mR
1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10 2.14 2.18
P P P O O P XXX
5 Alexander, Cameron FR Texas A&M 2.05m&
1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10
P O O O XXX
6 Lowery, Seth SR Texas A&M J2.05m&
1.90 1.95 2.00 2.05 2.10
P O O XO XXX
7 Mayo, Bud FR Texas State 1.95m
1.90 1.95 2.00
XO O XXX
8 Spinks, Jack FR Rice J1.95m
1.90 1.95 2.00
O XO XXX
9 Cash, Kyle FR Baylor 1.90m
1.90 1.95
XO XXX
10 Chaney, Clayton FR Rice J1.90m
1.90 1.95
XXO XXX
— Keene, Selleck FR Houston NH
1.90
XXX