TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

At the Hillside College Gina Relays, you qualified for the NCAA East Regional meet in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.63. How nice is it to know already that you’ll be competing in four weeks at Manhattan College?
It makes me nervous, yet excited. It's going to be much different not having my teammates there, but I know they will be there in spirit. I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and now I finally have it. This is my chance to qualify for NCAAs and become an All-American.

Your 1,600-meter relay team of Stacy Downer, your sister, Patrice, Vashone Wallace and yourself also set a school record with a time of 3:44.77. How much fun has it been to be a part of that relay team, especially now that you’ve set the school record and come close to it a few times?
The 4x4 team consists of myself, Patrice, Vashone and Stacy, but we have a team we call the sprint squad, which additionally includes Charrise Everett and Dana Ventrone. Dana and Charrise seem to always be there when we run. After running their events they take on the role of being there for us before and after the race, whether we run good or bad. The six of us have had so much fun at practice and in meets. They have really shaped and molded me. I'll miss them when it's time to depart.

When you had the UB Open on March 23, it was a rainy, cold day. How much tougher is it to compete in those adverse conditions?
After training in this unpredictable Buffalo weather, I have been able to prepare for cold, rainy and windy weather. It's different for every athlete, however; some prefer hot, some warm, others cool. Windy weather is the worst to run in. I recall Vashone and I ran 400 meters in windy weather and it was the worst race of our lives. I just make sure I am well-hydrated and warmed up properly.

Part of what makes track and field so unique is the multitude of events an athlete can compete in at a meet. You’ve competed in the hurdles, sprints, and in jumping events. Which event is your favorite?
People would think that my favorite event would be the 400 hurdles because I'm good at them, yet my favorite event is the 100 hurdles. I have not run them much in my college career, but when I have had a chance to, I get very excited. In high school, I ran 14.3 seconds in the 100 hurdles and I miss them. I still like the 400 hurdles, too, although they hurt much more.

Another aspect of track and field is the downtime at a meet, especially as a member of the 1,600-meter relay team, which is typically the last event at a meet. What do you do with your time in between events?
I have a lot of love and respect for my teammates and I enjoy watching everyone compete, so in between my events I'm usually along the track, at the pole vault, watching the throwers or at the long jump pit. I can't sit down when my teammates are competing. I have to be there for them, like they are for me. Coach (Perry) Jenkins tells me a lot, 'Lady, get off your feet.'

After one year at Buffalo State, you moved across town to UB for your sophomore year, where you joined Patrice on the track team. After setting six records at Buffalo State in Division III, what kind of success did you expect to find across town in the Mid-American Conference?
One of the reasons I transferred from Buffalo State was because I felt as though a Division I program would help me better myself and achieve my goals both on the track and in the classroom. As far as the MAC goes, I did not really know what to expect, but I was ready to work hard and meet those challenges.

How enjoyable has it been to be able to compete with your younger sister during these past two seasons?
Patrice has been everything to me throughout these few years of college. I don't know if she realizes how much more enjoyable she has made not only my collegiate career, but my athletic career as well. Words can't begin to express the love I have for her.

Now that you have competed in track and field at three different levels, what do you think the biggest differences are between high school, Division III, and Division I track?
I think the biggest difference is the training and all the time that goes into it. I am much stronger now than in high school or Buffalo State, and I know this difference is due to my training. I have my coaches to thank for that (Coach Jenkins, Vicki Mitchell, Tim Beach and Jim Garnham, Jr.). Also my new training partner, Brian Heim, has been a big difference.

You also competed in volleyball at Lyons High School where you were a two-time league all-star. What are some lessons volleyball taught you that have translated well into track and field?
Volleyball really brought that competitive, aggressive side out of me, whereas in track I was more laid back. One thing that has translated from volleyball is that competitiveness. I used to get on the line and say, 'OK, God, just let me finish.' Now when I get on the line, I say, 'God, if I'm going to lose, I'm going to lose fighting.'

What has been your favorite moment as a UB athlete?
Without a doubt, my favorite memory is the ECACs 4x4 relay. All four of us - myself, Downer, Coney and Wallace - left it all on the track and we beat out some of the greatest runners on the East Coast. It was a bittersweet moment. Although our legs were shaky and tired, we were so happy. We all agree that medal is one of the proudest we've earned.

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