Talking Track with Tiara McMinn
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Talking Track is a series that features current members of the Miami track and field program, while taking a deeper look into what makes their time at the U special.
In this week’s edition of Talking Track, we get to know sophomore standout Tiara McMinn. McMinn has had an incredible sophomore campaign, winning the ACC 60m indoor hurdles title and finishing 11th overall at NCAAs. This week, we hear from the Miami native on her favorite things about track.
Q&A:
Q: Which season do you prefer, indoor or outdoor, and why?
A: Outdoor. Being from Miami, I’m not really used to running indoor. It’s not really what athletes in Miami do.
Q: What’s your favorite event?
A: 100m hurdles. It’s short and quick.
Q: What’s been your favorite memory as a Cane so far?
A: Winning both ACC titles, but especially winning outdoor season with my teammates last season.
Q: What’s your favorite track to run on?
A: I’ve never really thought of that, but I’d say our home track.
Q: How does it feel to have already won two ACC titles as a sophomore?
A: First off, it’s a bigger accomplishment for me for the second one because I’m a title holder. Last year’s was a little disappointing because I know I could’ve done better. This year, I really proved to myself that I could really do things when I set my mind to them.
Q: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
A: Not pre-meet, but I like to eat Gushers the nights I run and the night after I run.
Q: What was your favorite part about competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships?
A: Personally, it meant a lot to me because I was classified as one of the top hurdlers in my event to go to the NCAAs, so that was a great accomplishment. It was just a different atmosphere because I was running against different people who you don’t see just in conference and that was a bigger stage.
Q: If you weren’t running track, what sport would you do?
A: I would be doing gymnastics.
Q: What are your goals for Tom Jones Memorial this weekend?
A: This weekend, I want to better my 100m hurdles time. Under 13 seconds is my goal.
Q: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals for ACCs in three weeks?
A: Team goals are to be back-to-back ACC Champions and for me, I want to get another title in the 100 hurdles.
Q: Who do you look up to in track?
A: My favorite hurdler I look up to is Sally Pearson. She has been my favorite hurdler since I started watching track and field with my mom. I’ve always watched and learned from her. I just enjoy watching her run.
Q: What motivates you to keep going with track?
A: Mostly myself when I practice, I see how I improve and how I can better myself. It just makes me want to work harder and to show people what I can do.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Coach Amy Deem?
A: Her energy she brings to practice, especially when it’s one of those good days, she’s very excited about how were doing in practice and it makes me feel better in general.
