TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

Last week, you were named the MAC’s Men Field Athlete of the Week after winning both the long jump, the 100-meter dash and were apart of the winning 400-meter relay team at the Miami (OH) Invitational. How much fun was it to have a day like that, where you won all three of your four events?
It was fun at first, but then I finished fourth in the triple jump. I had fun. I didn’t know I’d have a day like that. I wouldn’t have seen that. I don’t really train for that, but I had a good time doing it.

At the MAC Indoor Championships, you took home your first championship in the long jump with a leap of 24-9.75 and teammate Rayshon Higgins won the triple jump. How nice is it to get to train with another MAC Champ when you practice everyday?
That’s the best thing because we’re always the last ones out. We usually get there on time, but we’re the last ones out. Knowing that he’s there when I’m there shows that we’re dedicated to the sport and having him around is motivational to myself.

This week you head off to the Akron Invitational, the second meet you have at a MAC school. How important are those meets where you get to run against at least one other MAC school early in the season?
I actually jumped against Akron at the Raleigh Invitational, but it’s interesting because I like to see what our conference has out there, what the guys marks are like. Everytime I get to compete against them, I get excited, because I get to see where they’re at and where I’m at.

You have already qualified for the NCAA East Regionals in the long jump. The event takes place in late May, after the school year. Is it easier or harder to prepare for a meet with school out for the summer?
Definitely easier, you just get to focus on your event. You get to practice as long as you want. You don’t have to worry about getting homework done or waking up early for classes. I like the fact that it’s after school’s out.

You have competed in both individual races as well as relays. What are some of the differences in strategy between the two and which do you prefer?
I actually like running relays a lot better, because it’s more about the team. Doing warm-ups with Bryan Weinstein and accelerations and all that stuff, it’s better than preparing by myself sometimes. In long jump, it’s easier because I’m more focused but as far as sprints go, sometimes you need a partner to be there with you. I prefer relays better because there’s actually guys there with me.

You redshirted during the 2005 season. How tough was it to have to sit out and watch as your teammates competed at meets?
That was the worst experience of my life, having to miss last season. I couldn’t be there, but I got stronger over the summer. During the season, I knew what I had to do to get back and here I am now, showing what I did last year has really helped me.

Another aspect of track and field is the downtime at a meet, especially during a jumping event where you have to wait for all the other competitors to jump in between your jumps. What do you usually do during your time between jumps?
Between, I usually have strategies where I just get up and run around and try to look as serious as I can. Other guys look at me. I try to intimidate them. When they jump and during their time off, I just try to stay warm and stay as focused as I can.

As a former football player in high school, what are some lessons from the gridiron that you have been able to translate over onto the track?
I’m very confident. It’s funny, I’m really physical even when it comes to running. I try to put as much force into the ground as possible, just try not to be soft. To me, running is a contact sport still, because your foot is hitting the ground and you want to hit it as hard as you can. On takeoff, I want to be as physical as I can.

You list your favorite TV show as The Simpsons. Who do you think would win in a foot race, Homer Simpson or Barney Gumble?
I don’t know. I think Barney would probably win. Homer probably wouldn’t know which way to go.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB athlete?
Definitely winning the MAC Championship this year and having the opportunity to go to IC4A’s and winning that as well. The whole winning streak (where he won the long jump at seven meets in a row) I had this year was great. I liked the fact that I just kept it going for so long indoors.

“The 10 Questions With…” feature is compiled by Joe Guistina.