13 Questions with Texas A&M sprinter Jeneba Tarmoh

You might be hearing lot about Jeneba Tarmoh after her blistering individual and relays races at the NCAA Championship that helped Texas A&M defend their NCAA crown.

Is Tarmoh the next great collegiate sprinter?

The Aggies travel to Eugene to defend their title. Enter Tarmoh. In just her first season at Texas A&M after transferring from Tennessee, Tarmoh narrowly placed runner up (22.92 ) in the 200 meters to teammate Porscha Lucas, ran 11.13 to finish third in the 100 meters and ran pivotal legs on the victorious Aggie 4×100, and 4×4 relays teams.

The Texas A&M sophomore talks abou running for Texas A&M, her educational pursuits and the lesson she learned this season.

PRJ: Winning the 100 meter in 11.00 (wind-aided) at NACAC against top international talent from North America, Central America and the Caribbean – does that make your title mean more? Of course winning always has a positive effect on a person. But what makes my title mean the most is the time I ran.
JT: Of course winning always has a positive effect on a person. But what makes my title mean the most is the time I ran.

PRJ: What’s it like to be the NCAA Champs?
JT: It’s a honor, not many teams have the talent and depth Texas A&M has. I never thought that I would be part of a team that has so much talent and it makes me feel blessed to be part of it. The feeling still has not sunk in.

PRJ: How confident were you that Texas A&M could overcome such a talented Oregon team after finishing second to the Ducks at the Pepsi Invitation back in April?
JT: I was very confident, I know that Oregon is a talented team but I also know we are just as talented.

PRJ: What amazing runs you had in the 100 and 200 meters – how do you feel about your races at the NCAAs?
JT: PROUD! Like many athletes my journey over the course of the year made me doubt my ability to attain the goals I set for myself. But a person comes to realize that the journey they go through is what makes the end product mean what it does.

PRJ: How did the team react to losing Gabby Mayo in Eugene?
JT: The team was sad for the most part, but we are aware that Gabby is not what makes the team good. We all practiced hard when it was time to, so therefore we all have trained to compete hard under every circumstance good or bad.

PRJ: What about Coach Henry? How much does it mean for you to give him back-to-back national titles and the first in school history?
JT: It always a good feeling to please some else. It made me happy because when Coach Henry smiles it means that someone has really touched his heart and it felt good to see him smile ear to ear.

PRJ: You lose some runners next year but you have some help on the way?
JT: We have plenty of help on the way and by the grace of god we also have athletes coming back stronger than last year mentally and physically.

PRJ: You were at Tennessee before transferring to College Station? Were you nervous at all about the transfer?
JT: Of course. In my mind I was afraid the team was too good for me and that I would not be able to contribute. But the reason why Coach Anderson recruited me was because I can contribute and I was wanted.

PRJ: What is campus life like at Texas A&M?
JT: For the most part it is fun. I have friends who make life so much more exciting.

PRJ: Have you thought about what you might get your degree in?
JT: I made up my mind about becoming a psychologist in high school and I’m still sticking to it. I’m almost done now so there’s no turning back.

PRJ: So when did you start running?
JT: I started running my freshman year in high school when I was 14 but it took me many years to get serious about the sport.

PRJ: What are you doing outside of track?
JT: I do everything a girl my age does. I watch tv, read, and just relax with friends and family.

PRJ: What has this last year taught you?
JT: Everything happens for a reason. God always has a plan. I learned to stand still in the midst of a trial, I hated that I had to sit the year out, but looking at how this year turned out I’m glad because I learned more about myself as a child of God, and as a person.

Ash heats up track at NACAC U23 Champs

MIRAMAR, Fla. - Ronnie Ash ran his way to a windy sub-thirteen in the men’s high hurdles as Team USA claimed 25 medals on day 1 at the 2010 NACAC Under-23 Track & Field Championships in Miramar, Florida.

Ash blazed down the track, pulling away from the field as he went, to win the mens’ 110m hurdles in 12.98 (+3.1mps). Reigning World champion Ryan Brathwaite (BAR) finished in the runner-up position in 13.10 and Johnny Dutch claimed the bronze in a personal best 13.30.

Just before Ash’s race, the U.S. went 1-2 in the women’s 100m hurdles. Ti’erra Brown picked up the gold, storming down the track to a windy 12.86 (+2.3mps) while Michaylin Golladay claimed silver in 13.07.

Streaking down the runway with his new red, white and blue haircut, Jordan Scott defended his title and broke his Jeremy Scott’s meet record with a best clearance of 5.56m/18-2.75. Jack Whitt no-heighted.

2010 World Indoor 4×400m gold medalist Tavaris Tate took the lead with 200m to go in the men’s 400 and never looked back. Rolling down the final straight, Tate crossed the line in 45.36. Joey Hughes closed strong to claim silver in 45.79.

Jeneba Tarmoh burst from the blocks and kicked into high gear, running away from the field to win the women’s 100m in 11.00 (+2.2mps). Jamaica’s Samantha Henry edged out Kenyanna Wilson for silver with 11.25 while Wilson took bronze with 11.32. On the men’s side, Maurice Mitchell took bronze in 10.45 behind Canada’s Samuel Effah (10.06) and Jamaica’s Oshane Bailey (10.11). Luther Ambrose finished seventh in 10.40.

Karen Shump dominated the women’s shot put, all but winning the competition on her first throw with a put of 16.69m/59-9.25. But it was Shump’s fifth throw of 17.43m/57-2.25 that sealed the gold medal for her. Anna Jelmini took second with 16.58m/54-4.75. Hours before she won the silver medal, Jelmini won the women’s discus with a toss of 56.70m/186-0 while Jeneva McCall took second ith 56.16m/184-3.

Man-mountain Mason Finely, who stands at 6-8 and 375 pounds, won the men’s discus with a toss of 59.59m/195-6. Nick Jones picked up the bronze medal with his best effort 57.03m/187-1 while Mexico’s Mario Cota took silver with 58.01m/190-4.

In another 1-2 finish for Team USA, Shelise Williams won the women’s 400m in 53.08 while Ebony Collins, normally known for her 400m hurdle prowess, was the runner-up in 53.31.

Cooper Thomspon fell short of Juan Mendez’s (MEX) winning throw of 69.94m/ 229-5 in the men’s javelin but his best effort of 69.52m/228-1 was good enough to earn his the silver. Brian Moore took bronze with 68.41m/224-5.

On a hot and steamy morning, with temps in the 90s, Sarah Porter won the women’s 10,000m by almost 45 seconds, finishing in 36:15.51. Amanda Goetschius finished third in 37:18.81. On the men’s side, the U.S. went 1-2, with Ahmed Osman winning in 30:38.22 and Colin Mickow taking second in 30:42.16.

Also at the track, Ashika Charan took silver in the women’s triple jump with 13.35m/43-9.75 and April Sinkler finished fourth with 13.07m/42-10.75. At the conclusion of day 1 of the decathlon, Gray Horn is leading with 3,871 points and Nick Trubachik is sitting in second with 3,809.