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Sarah is seen here handing the baton off to twin sister Caitlin at the Kentucky Invitational earlier this season |
1. At the Arizona State Sun Angel Classic, you clocked 2:08.53 in the 800
meters. Amazingly, you ran 2:08.52 in the same event at the same venue last
year. Looking ahead to the rest of the season, including the SEC
Championships, how do you feel heading into the heart of the outdoor campaign?
I feel very confident at this point in the season. Last year at this time we
were already deep into speed work, but right now my mileage is still high and
all the times I've run have been off strength alone, and from the past I know
I respond very well to speed and rest. I'm right where I want to be, and I'm
very excited about what I can do at SEC's this year.
2. Now that you have the regional qualifying times out of the way, what will
your individual focus be for the rest of the season?
I will get in at least one more 800 and 1500 before SEC's, with Penn Relays
and our home meet still ahead of us. But my focus will definitely be on the
800. My coaches have tried to move me up to the 1500 since I was a freshman,
but I just keep running faster in the 800 so I don't have to.
3. With the Penn Relays just around the corner, you were a part of the 4x800
meter relay that captured the title. How much are you and your teammates
looking forward to the historic event?
We're very excited about Penn this year, especially because this will be the
third year that Caitlin, Spring, and I have all run on the 4x800 together and
done so well. It's going to be a great race and we're looking forward to the
competition and fast times.
4. Your twin sister and teammate, Caitlin, also runs the
same events for the Tigers. How comfortable is it to have her around
and is there any kind of special rivalry where you help to push
each other as the season rolls along?
It's always been good to have Caitlin around to push me in workouts
and races since our abilities are so similar. There is definitely
a kind of competitive rivalry between us, sometimes it doesn't matter
who I beat, as long as I beat her! But it's always helped us, especially
when we were in high school, to run fast times and be where we are
today.
5. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, it was a long trip for you and your
sister to make the move to Auburn. What led you to believe that this was the
best place for both of you?
We were Air Force brats growing up, so we had lived in Montgomery and knew
about Auburn before we moved to Anchorage. We had both talked to a lot of
coaches and visited a few schools, but Auburn just seemed like the right
choice. The experience has just been awesome, I couldn't imagine myself
anywhere else.
6. How much did the cross country season help you in relation to the indoor
and outdoor track seasons?
Cross country has helped me tremendously with track. It's made me stronger
every year, and that's definitely been reflective in my times each season.
Although those mile repeats and 4 mile tempos can get mighty long at times and
make me question why I do this heinous sport, it's all worth it during that
final 300 of the 800 meters!
7. What have been some of your most memorable places to compete during your
collegiate career so far?
I've always enjoyed Penn Relays and the Sun Angel Classic. There's
nothing like the atmosphere at Penn, and Tempe is so nice. I'd have
to say one of my most memorable races was last year when we surprisingly
won the DMR at our Indoor conference meet in Arkansas. We thought
we were going to scratch, but at the last minute we decided to run
it, and I made everyone kiss the baton. It's been our good luck
superstition ever since.
8. The SEC is considered one of the deepest, if not the best, track & field
conference in the country. How fierce is the competition and could you
imagine yourself anywhere else under different circumstances?
I love the competition the SEC brings, and all of us in the SEC are that much
better for it. The 800m field is very deep and it's always an exciting race.
I'm very glad to be in this conference competing with the best, and I couldn't
imagine myself anywhere else.
9. Based on your level of fitness right now, when does the mileage base for
you start to taper down and then focus more on the mechanics of your events,
such as speed work?
We're going to start adding a little bit of speed work in the next couple of
weeks or so, and then hit it hard in the couple of weeks leading up to
conference. I'll probably start to taper the week before conference and
really try and focus on the regional meet.
10. What would you like to accomplish the most when your collegiate career
comes to a close?
I've actually accomplished more right now than I ever thought I
would, especially at this point in my career. But before it's all
over, I would really like to make Outdoor NCAA's too. Breaking 17:00
minutes in the 5k and being all-conference and all-regional in my
last cross country season are goals for me as well.
11. For all your friends and family from back home, what would you like to
say to them?
I'd like to thank my high school coach, James DeMarco, for everything he's
done for me and all his support, I wouldn't be here without him. And to all my
friends and family back home, I miss you guys, and I'll see you this summer!