Ross was an All-American in the 100 meter
hurdles (Dyestat.com) |
1. Winning the 4x400m relay with an NCAA meet and collegiate record, you helped South Carolina to their first ever women's outdoor title. Describe the feeling of walking away being part of a national championship team.
It was a great honor to be apart of USC's first national championship track team. The championship was so special because it was the first ever national title in any sport here at USC. I'm thankful to God that I was apart of this victory. Winning the championship was exciting and is a memory that will never be forgotten.
2. You placed right behind teammate Lashinda Demus in the 400 meter hurdle final with a time of 55.22. Your other teammate, Shevon Stoddart, also took 6th in the same race. It's also amazing considering that you all were freshman at the time and now have 3 more years to compete for the title. How do your teammates help you in accomplishing your goals?
Well being that we are all very close we help each other emotionally and physically. We train hard together and after practice we sit around and can joke with each other. It's fun and we all workout hard together to accomplish a common goal, winning!
3. Taking 8th in the 100 meter hurdle final last season, you also earned All-American in that event. What will you try to work on this season in order to improve more in that event?
Well I did make All-American in the 100 hurdles at nationals but I'm still not satisfied. I had great post nationals meets including Jr. Nationals and Worlds (even though I ran into a couple of injuries at Worlds). In getting better I've been working hard this year and my plans are to do much better in the 60 and 100 hurdles this year.
4. Head coach Curtis Frye has developed the South Carolina program into a national power in a short period of time. How much has he helped you to where you are today and the program overall?
I credit a lot of my success to Coach Frye and his style of training. He's a great coach and definitely one of the greatest technical coaches that I've ever been associated with.
5. Is there anything that do you specifically to do prepare before for each track meet?
Well before each meet I talk to my family and tell them my goals for each meet. I pray and ask God to be with me. Then, I always warm up with my CD player. Being from Miami Dade County, I listen to Trick and Trina, Lil Jon and the Eastside boyz and a whole lot of 'Down South' music. Lastly, I pray again and go out on the track with a mission which is to win.
6. Considering you would have been an NCAA qualifier with your time in high school, did you expect to do this well your freshman year?
I can say yes and I can say no to his question. I have a lot of confidence in myself and I knew my capabilities. Coming out of high school I knew I was an NCAA qualifier but I didn't know that my time would drop as fast as it did. Once I ran a couple of collegiate outdoor meets I knew that I was capable run 55 or better in the 400 hurdles. Now the 100 hurdles was a shocker. When I ran 13.01 at Jr. Nationals I was excited and definitely excited about my sophomore collegiate season.
7. Now that the indoor season is right around the corner, how has your fall conditioning and specific preparation been for you?
I've run into a couple of slight injuries this fall but it's nothing I can't over come in a couple of weeks. We've all been training hard here at USC and this indoor should be great.
8. What was the toughest adjustment you had to make when you finally landed in Columbia, South Carolina from Miami, Florida?
My biggest adjustment was the tempo of things. In Miami there is always something to do and somewhere to go. We have great malls in Miami and that's wheat I really like about it. I love to shop! Here in South Carolina things are much slower but it's not that bad. I've adapted to South Carolina and it's environment. I don't regret leaving Miami to move here for a while.
9. How do you like to spend your free time when you are off the track and not involved in the sport?
My role model athlete would have to be Gail Devers and Melissa Morrison. I train along side Mellisa for the 100 hurdles so I can depend on her to help me with my mistakes which make me a better hurdler.
11. The South Carolina program has developed a number of great sprinters and hurdlers over the past several years. Where do you see yourself 4 years from now and what would you like to accomplish?
Four years from now my plan is to run professional track and train here at USC. Of course the Olympic Games and World Championships are also goals for me. I want to run both hurdle races.
12. What kind of music do you listen to and what are some of your favorite forms of entertainment?
I like to listen to Trick Daddy and Trina; I also listen to Tweet, Musiq, Nelly, Eve, Missy and most down south artists.