Krista Simkins and Ti'erra Brown Sit Down With Hurricanesports.com
April 8, 2008
CORAL GABLES – The 2008 University of Miami women’s track team has been led by two outstanding student-athletes so far this season. Junior Krista Simkins is a proven veteran that recently won the National Championship in the indoor 400-meters. While freshman sensation Ti’erra Brown has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in the 400-meter hurdles since the outdoor season began three weeks ago.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Simkins is currently ranked first in the 200-meter dash and has helped the Hurricanes’ 4×100 relay team to No. 9 national ranking. Brown is also ranked in the 100-meter hurdles, currently slotted at No. 6.
Freshman Ti’erra Brown
How has your freshman year been going so far?
It’s been going good for the most part. Kind of just getting used to the everyday workouts, weekends we have to run, we really have no breaks.
Did you find the transition from high school to college difficult?
As far as the workouts go, it wasn’t really that difficult. In terms of transitioning track wise, its more like the environment and getting used to scheduling and time management. I don’t have any time, I’m either in class, practice, treatment, or study hall, that’s the only difficult part though, the time management.
What do you think you’ve learned from Coach Deem since you’ve arrived at the U?
Not just how to run the correct way, but it’s like how to loosen up because I’m a very upright runner. She’s trying to get me to break out of my shell. Running wise she’s taught me how to keep my technique. But it’s more like me just as a person, she’s taught me how to come out of my shell a little bit and show my personality.
Which hurdle race is your favorite, the 100 or 400?
Well when I first came into it I thought the 100 was going to be my favorite, but I really like the 400 now.
Is there a reason why the like the 400 over the 100?
I think with the 400 you have a little more room for error. Especially because I’m not a sprinter-sprinter, but I’ve got endurance and I can hold it. So I can catch people on the 400 because must people die by the 300, so if you’re already conditioned with training, like Coach D has us right now, then you’re going to have enough energy to catch people in the last 100.
So I hear there’s a Dora the Explorer bag that you carry to every meet. What’s the story behind that?
My last year in high school, my Mom gave me this Dora the Explorer bag and it’s became my little good luck bag. I took it everywhere I went. Then, I got here and Coach Deem told me I had to put it away. So, I still have it but it’s inside of my Nike track bag. So, I’ve still got it everywhere I go, it’s just inside my track bag. I’m the only one that can see it.
What or who has inspired you to keep going?
I think I inspire myself because I’m really hard on myself. So, I just have to keep reminding myself of my goals, and what I want to accomplish in life. Other people around me inspire me too, and competition, like competitors, inspire me because they inspire me to run faster to beat them. So, I think it’s competition and myself.
Junior Krista Simkins
Can you describe the feeling you had when you crossed the line to become the 2008 Indoor Champion in the 400-meters?
I felt ecstatic and relieved that it was over. I was just really happy I accomplished my goals and all the hard work paid off.
What does Coach Deem emphasize in practice that helps you prepare for your meets?
She emphasizes, for me, on getting out of the blocks, like focusing on the first ten steps of the race so I don’t have to work so hard at the end to try to catch up because some people can run just as fast as you or faster and there’s no way you can beat them if you’re not getting out quicker.
Do you have any pre-race rituals that you do before you compete?
I always listen to my ipod and I always talk to my mom before I run.
What do you listen to on your ipod?
Jay-Z is my favorite.
Tell us one thing no one really knows about you.
I feel like I’m an open book and people know everything about me. I don’t really like all the attention, it’s just too much. I’m pretty private, like I’m just happy knowing I accomplished my goals.
Being an Olympic year, what’s going through your mind?
I’ve been really motivated, it’s my biggest goal besides trying to graduate in December.
Who or what inspires you?
My teammates, because everyone works really hard and if we miss a beat in practice, they can easily pass you and I feel like they’re my biggest competition. So, they inspire me to practice hard everyday.
This weekend the talented duo will lead their team in the Miami Elite Invitational. Year after year the Miami Elite draws the top collegiate and professional athletes, and this year will be no exception. The meet will begin with the field events at noon with the running events getting underway at 5:00 p.m. this Saturday, April 12 at Cobb Stadium.
