Alabama Track & FIeld Q&A: Symone Darius
4/5/2017 9:47:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
RollTide.com will be posting Q&As with members of the Alabama track & field teams throughout the season so fans can get to know the student-athletes competing for the Crimson Tide. This week, we visit with freshman sprinter Symone Darius. The New Rochelle, N.Y. native ran the third leg on Alabama's 4x100-meter relay team that posted the second-fastest time in school history (43.59) at the Florida Relays on April 1 and competed for the Tide in the 60 meters and 200 meters at the SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships earlier this season.
When did you begin running track & field and why?
Symone Darius: I started track and field in the fourth grade and ever since then I've been running. My dad ran track and played football, so he really influenced my siblings and I to run track at a young age. I just kind of stuck with it.
When did you realize that you wanted to run track & field in college?
SD: I realized that I could compete in college when I was in high school. I played soccer and volleyball in middle school, but in high school I focused track because I needed to stick with one sport since it's so time consuming. It was something that I could get really serious about and something that I was always good at. I started hearing from colleges my junior year.
What sold you on Alabama?
SD: The people and the environment. As soon as I came onto campus, I felt really welcomed. I loved everything about this school. Also, the program. We are a building program here, so I will be part of creating something rather than going to a school that is already on the top.
How was the transition from a big city like New York to a small, southern college town like Tuscaloosa?
SD: I would definitely say the southern hospitality was a big culture shock for me. In New York, everyone is doing things on their own, minding their own business, and in a hurry to do what they need to do and get it done. But here, people are here if you need help and people are always saying hi to you. It's just kind of a different vibe you get coming from New York to here. That's the neat thing about Alabama.
What do you enjoy about being on this team?
SD: I love how everyone can talk to each other. We all motivate each other and we are a team that doesn't really lose focus. We all know what we are trying to do and we build each other up to get there. It doesn't matter if I am a sprinter and someone is a thrower, we still congratulate to each other and still encourage each other in our own different ways.
What are your goals for your outdoor season?
SD: I would like to lower my personal bests in 100, 200 and 400. I just want to improve. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, but I want to go out there and do well.
How do you keep pushing yourself to continue to improve?
SD: Well, really I just have high expectations of myself. On the outside looking in, it can look like 'Oh, well she is doing a lot, she should be satisfied.' But, I honestly have higher goals for myself that I feel that I should be able to accomplish so until I am there or until I feel that I have done it, then I will feel like, 'okay I have done my job.' Not to say that I am not happy with how I am doing, I just have high expectations for myself and I know I can accomplish that, so that's what keeps me motivated to keep going.
Talking about what keeps you motivated, is there one person in your life who keeps you motivated?
SD: Probably my mom. She wasn't an athlete like my dad was, but she is a big motivator in my life.
How does it feel looking back at your indoor season and seeing just how well you did in the short amount of time you've been here?
SD: Well, it definitely says a lot. All the hard work that you put in, it's always a great feeling to see results. It builds my confidence more to know that I have done all this work and it is showing already. I just have to trust my coaches and everything, and hopefully it works out well.
If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
SD: I would say whatever you are good at, just focus on that. Your talent will take you far. It may look like you aren't on the same level as someone at a certain time, but that doesn't mean that your time isn't coming. You just have to be patient with your progress.
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