Alabama Track & Field Q&A: Daija Lampkin
2/21/2018 4:32:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Daija Lampkin is in her first year as a member of the Alabama track & field team. The freshman from Middletown, Del., was a 10-time state champion in high school, winning multiple titles in the 55 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters indoors and outdoors at Middletown High School. She enters the SEC Championships this weekend owning UA's top times in the 60 meters and 200 meters and runs the lead leg on the Tide's 4x400-meter relay, which has posted two of the five fastest times in school history this season.
What is your approach to running the lead leg on the 4x400?
Daija Lampkin: "Being a freshman coming in and already being the lead leg is a lot of pressure, and that pressure either crumbles you or you build from it and persevere. I just focus on myself, let the nerves go, and use the energy from the crowd as fuel. I go in with a good mentality and with the goal of going to go all out and performing well."
What event were you looking forward to running this season?
DL: "The 200. I was most excited about that event because I did a lot of preseason training and that let me know that I have the capability of performing well in the 200. I'm happy with how I've run so far and I'm ready to keep on running it."
What was the transition from high school to college like?
DL: "High school track is more relaxed, you can do whatever you want, practice is not as hard. Here it is very rigorous and the practices are very intense. As a freshman, you also have to learn how to balance academics and athletics at the collegiate level, which is much more demanding as well. You have to be very focused in everything you do."
What's been the key to your success this season?
DL: "My determination and my work ethic are important. I believe in going as hard as I can in every practice because if you work hard, that hard work will pay off on the track."
What is your motivation?
DL: "I set goals for myself at the start of each season. I write it up on my board in my dorm room, and I look at that every single morning. Looking at them every day reminds me I can't let up."
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