March 5, 2008

What are the biggest misconceptions about your event?
"The biggest misconception is that people tend to think of only short sprints or short distance when thinking of sprints. Not all sprints are extremely short. The longer sprinters actually do distance runs and endurance work other than running short distances. The short sprinters go on runs too, just shorter ones, to work on their endurance for their races." - Ashley Cattran

"That because it's a shorter distance it means it's an easier race." - Stacy Chew

"The biggest misconception people make about sprinters is that we use steroids." - Emily Krizmanic

"'One and done' is not true. That `one' is harder than a 5K. In a distance event you have time to think and react but in sprinting you get one chance to prove yourself."- Stephanie Unger

What is one thing you want the readers of www.DaytonFlyers.com to know about your sport?
"Sprinting seems like it would be easier because the races are over so quickly, but it's actually not the case. It takes a lot of mental toughness to maintain a high speed for a long time. The races might be over quickly, but they are very intense and there is a lot of room for error." - Ashley Cattran

"Many people think track is an individual sport. It's not. Yes, you run a race individually, but a runner could not be where they are if it were not for their teammates cheering them on and pushing them in practice. It takes every point from everyone to win a track meet. One person could not win a track meet on their own." - Emily Krizmanic

"Track is not as pointless a sport as people think. We are not running for `no reason', there is an internal joy of winning a race just as there is of winning a game." - Lauren McCormick

"Running can be fun if you make it that way." - Stacy Chew

"Track and Field is an individual sport but with a team concept. Because I have been involved in track and field, I noticed that individuals tend to believe that track is an individual sport. The University of Dayton has a great track and field program and being apart of this loving team makes me happy everyday." - Chantee Mathews

What is a typical track meet like for a sprinter?
"Long. You could have the first and last race of the meet." - Micailah Brock

"Depending on the event, the amount of time before competing varies. For me there's usually a little time to wait around and plan out the race before warm up. Once warm up starts, we do drills and accelerations before the race. Sprinters usually have to repeat this process several times since we tend to do multiple events. It can be tough to keep warming up, racing, and cooling down, but the met can fly by because we stay so busy." - Ashley Cattran

"I get to the meet, and wait for a few hours before warming up for my first race. Then I have about another hour or two before my second race. And by the time I'm done running, the rest of the team is waiting for me on the bus!" - Stacy Chew

How'd you get into running? Why do you do it now?
"I first knew I was going to run in college in elementary school when I would beat all of the boys in gym class races." - Stephanie Unger

"I've liked running since I was little when I use to work out with my dad. Now I do it because of the feeling I get when I've finished a race and I know that I've tried my hardest. It always feels like such an accomplishment to finish a race. I really like training and feeling like I'm in shape too and the girls on the team make it so much fun." - Ashley Cattran

"I have been competing in track and field since fourth grade. My father got me involved in track and since then I have had a love for this sport. Because of my love and passion for track and field I could not imagine doing anything else in college. This sport has molded me into the person I am today. It has taught me discipline and made me stronger physically and mentally." - Chantee Mathews

"I got into running because my dad ran marathons when I was younger. Also, track and field was a popular sport at my school, everyone did track. I do it now because I could not imagine not being part of a team. I love the comradery, the competition, traveling and it's a plus that you stay healthy." -- Emily Krizmanic

"I initially did it to stay in shape for soccer. Then I started hurdling and I fell in love with it. Also, the girls on the track team are much more fun and nice than any other team I have been on." - Emma Steinmetz

If you could compete in any other event, what would it be and why?
"If I could do a different event, it would definitely be high jump. I love watching the high jumpers. They look so graceful, and it always amazes me how they can jump that high. I'm pretty sure though that it's best I don't attempt jumping since I'm not even a little bit graceful... or tall." - Ashley Cattran

"Pole vaulting because it looks fun and you have to work very hard to be good at it." -- Emily Krizmanic

"The pole vault, because it would be the most challenging and interesting." - Emma Steinmetz

"I would be a high jumper because I love the skill and precision that goes into it. It's just so different." - Stephanie Unger

"If I could compete in any other event it would be the shot put. I am just interested in seeing how far I could throw on a good day." -- Lauren McCormick

What's the craziest/funniest thing that has happened to you during a race? Or at a track meet?
"That's a tough one. I guess one would be that I had to run a race at 1:30 in the morning once. I also had a gun go off once during districts in high school while I was still jumping into the air getting ready to get in the blocks. I never did figure out how the official didn't notice I wasn't exactly in set position yet." - Ashley Cattran

"As a hurdler, the most important part of your race is the first hurdle. The start is crucial, and mine was amazing. But, on the first hurdle, I passed gas and the crowd roared with laughter. But I still won...haha." - Micailah Brock

"Falling during the 200 meter and rolling off the track." - Chantee Mathews

"I got knocked out once at practice. We were running hurdles and the girl next to me hit her hurdle, which made me hit my hurdle. Next thing I remember is lying on my back on the track wondering what happened." - Andrea Cornell