Let's start by talking about last year. How did you feel about your performances at the Sectional meet in Hoover?
It was OK.
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Once the meet was over and you began to think about next year, what goals and expectations did you set for yourself? My goal was to get better at what I do. Just two months ago, in early February, you were named 6A MVP of the indoor state championships in the Priceville for your wins in the 55m & long jump and point-scoring efforts in the high jump and 4x200m relay. What was your mental reaction to success you had at that meet? I was very happy that my teammates and coaches helped me to accomplish this award. I didn?t think this award was an individual award?It was a team award. |
 (photo: AlabamaRunners) |
Your long jump mark of 23' 5¼" from the General Relays is tops in the state this year and a big personal best for you. What can you say about that particular jump?
 (photo: AlabamaRunners) |
That was my best jump?It just felt good when I took off.
Now that the 23-foot barrier is out of the way, what's your goal in the long jump (distance-wise) for this season? What about for your senior year?
My goal is to eventually jump 25 feet?I know I will have to work extremely hard to reach that mark.
In the last few weeks of the season, how will you prepare mentally and physically for competition at state? I will just go out to compete and have fun.
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Since running 11.17 and 22.58 at the Green Wave Invitational at the beginning of the season you've run a lot of relay legs and not many open races, so you haven't gotten many chances to improve on those times. How is your speed progressing in these relays? What times can we expect in your next open races?
My speed in the relays is very good?I think we can expect to have very good times in our relays.
Ranked 13th in the 100m and and 10th in the 200m in the state this season based on performances, where do you see yourself in terms of ability in the sprint events?
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I see myself as one of the top sprinters in 6A. As the reigning 55m champion from indoor, do you consider yourself the favorite for the 100m in outdoor, or does the extra 45m make the 100m so much different of a race that we cannot compare the two? I will have to work harder than everyone else to stay at that high level. Do you consider any other sprinters in the state particular rivals? No. |
 (photo: AlabamaRunners) |
With the versatility you've shown in the sprints & jumps already this year, do plan to take part in the state decathlon in May?
Yes, I plan to take part along with some of my teammates.
As a football player, do the races against other football players with reputed speed have special meaning to you?
Yes.
In what ways are sprint races similar and different to football running? Which fits your running style better?
You get to use your God-given ability. I love to take a (football) handoff, but it is very different than a track sprint event.
If you could design a track event you'd be the best at, what would it be?
Some type of shuttle run.
On the field this past fall you had one of the best seasons of anyone in the junior class, and many see you as the top football recruit in the state heading into next year. Needless to say, a lot of different schools are already looking for ways to add you to their roster next season... are you looking at any particular schools as much as they're looking at you, or is that decision waiting for next year's signing day?
I am going to wait for all that. I still have business at Hillcrest to take care of.
Will you be a two-sport athlete again in college, or will you focus on only one sport?
Maybe I?ll be a 2 Sport athlete.
Under your new coach, Dustin Wright, the Hillcrest track team is consistently growing in size & talent. What have been the differences under Coach Wright that are beginning to turn the program around?
The difference is that he doesn?t play around.
As many of your track teammates are also football teammates, are you forming any special bonds with your fellow track runners that you may not have developed only through football?
Yes.
Has the student body or faculty of the school been supportive of, or taken an interest in, the track team's development?
They are loving what they see.
The Hillcrest team is very close to the track team at Central-Tuscaloosa. Could you describe the relationship between these two teams? Do the friendships intensify the rivalries once practice is over and it's time to compete?
It is not a rivalry between us other than in football. We love what Coach Sparks has shown us.
As an athletic child, did you first think of your talents in terms of sports like basketball and football? When did track & field first come into the picture?
I saw all my cousins play sports and they showed me how to play ball?Track first came into the picture when I was in the ninth grade.
As just a junior, you have a time to do a lot with your career before you graduate. What would you consider the greatest accomplishments you could reach as a student-athlete before graduating high school?
The greatest accomplishment is that our team is bonded like brothers and sisters.
 (photo: AlabamaRunners) |
Who are some of the people who have made a special impact on your athletic career and life in general? I love my Grandmother?Mrs. Wingo, my 10th grade English teacher, Mrs. Sexton, Coach Wright, my family and friends, Coach O.K. Bryant, and Coach Harper (Head Football Coach). Thanks for your time, Markus, and best wishes on the rest of your season. |