Please enjoy this exclusive interview with track & field's women's 4x100 relay team featuring sophomore sprinters Cicely Arana, Aazalet Danage, Sauriyanna Harrison, and freshman sprinter Jada Reese. The ladies share about their thoughts on the cancellation of their season when they were at their peak, how they stay motivated, how they support one another and what they plan on doing next in their athletic careers.
1. Being successful early on during the Spring 2020 season, how did you deal with your frustrations of a season shut down when you were in your prime? How do you remain positive?
CA: I was definitely in denial and figured season was going to continue after two weeks, but then those two weeks became months. I was devastated and disappointed that I wasn't able to see all my hard work pay off. When the shutdown of the season started, the zoom practices with my team helped to boost my mood and determination. Once those zoom calls ended, I continued eating like I usually do during season and conditioning my body the best I could during the current state of our county.
AD: Although it may have been frustrating to miss what would have been a great season, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. To keep a positive attitude, I look at this as a gain and not a loss. What I mean by that is, we did not lose a season, we gained more time to practice and perfect our sport.
SH: When the season was shut down, I was in my prime and it was very frustrating because I felt like there was so much more we could've done.
JR: It was honestly hard because individually and as a team, we were doing so well throughout the season and you could just tell. People were motivated and determined to drop times and everyone's mindset was the same. Everyone wanted to go after it and work hard because at the end of the day, we all had one thing in common and it was to go further to state and win a title. I turned my frustrations into determination. Rather than being upset about it I chose to do something. I'm working harder than I ever did because I want to come back next season being a better and faster version of myself than I was last season.
2. Are you preparing for next year? Who's coming back to LBCC/ who is moving on?
CA: I am making sure I am strengthening and conditioning my body properly for next year and focusing on my nutrition. I am getting ready to train with the University of California, Irvine track and field team. I am so bummed that I didn't get to finish the season with LBCC and see what my relay team was going to show everyone what we could have done.
AD: I will be returning for another year at LBCC. I would like to have more time with the amazing coaches before I transfer over to a university.
SH: Yes, I am preparing for next year's season at LBCC. I'm very excited to get back on the track and work hard. I will miss my teammates that have transferred to pursue their track career.
JR: Yes, I am preparing for next season as we speak. I've been running up hills, lifting weights, and working out with my family because we all participate in sports. I believe the 4x100 team will be back next season. I would be scared for the other 4x100 teams.
3. Do you rely on each other for support because you're all going through this together?
CA: I most definitely feel like I relied on my teammates during these trying times. They are more than teammates to me, they are family. Checking on them and seeing how their everyday life is going is important to me and I most definitely think it has helped me get through these hard and confusing times.
AD: Most of the time we do rely on each other for support. Not only were we teammates, but we're also friends. We try to build each other up and help each other the best way we can and just try to keep a positive mindset that will help us for the next year and season.
SH: Yes, we do rely on each other for support. It's easy to talk to people that are going through the same thing you are.
JR: We are most definitely there for each other. It might not be in person due to COVID-19, but keeping in touch through cell phones and checking up on each other is beneficial. Especially when season starts we're always there for each other because we're like a family and we try to be there for everyone on the team.
4. What are your short-term goals for athletics and long-term goals for your sport?
CA: My short-term goals include becoming faster and improving each season. I want to see and feel my progression and be proud. I am excited to meet and run alongside a new team and learn new things to add on to what I already know. I want to become a more absorbent athlete and not be so afraid of change and trying things that I haven't seen or tried. My long-term goal is to build a community and network amongst the athletes and teams I have participated with and most of all I want to continue growing and absorbing my sport in the long run. I am not sure where the future holds with my sport, but I will keep pushing and just see where it takes me.
AD: As a short-term goal, I would just like to get in shape and back to where I once was. Long-term wise, I want to have the best technique I possibly can and be prepared for the next level when I leave. I do hope to compete at a higher level and if that higher level takes me further, that would be amazing.
SH: My short-term goals are make my times lower then what they are right now. My long-term goal is to transfer to a D1 school and make it to state in all my races.
JR: For my long-term goals, I want to take track and field all the way. I believe I can go far and make this a career for myself. I just have to keep working hard every day. My short-term goals would have to be to transfer to a four-year university and finish my college track career there.
5. How do you keep yourself physically and mentally strong during these tough times?
CA: I honestly have struggles with keeping strong mentally without the track. The track is my safe haven and where I can just release all my anxiety and nerves. Since I don't have a track, I meditate and have really focused on stretching. With more time on my hands, I have used it to focus on my body and making sure it is conditioned and properly stretched. My goal during quarantine is to work on my flexibility and to improve on something I never really had time to as a student athlete who also worked. Focusing in on something and having a routine helps my mental state. Physically, I have implemented more at home workouts and have added in elliptical and at home weight training. I work out five times a week and do yoga on weekends. I do my best to make sure I am preparing myself.
AD: Physically, I try to watch what I consume and work out where and when I can with also keeping myself safe. Mentally, I just keep a positive mindset through these tough times and just remember that it has to rain before the rainbow comes.
SH: I keep myself physically and mentally strong by venting to people so that I'm not keeping everything in and by reminding myself that things could be worse.
JR: My dad is a great influence on me when it comes to eating right and working out. I'm overall maintaining a healthy balance and always getting on myself through training. He's a little hard at times but I don't have a problem with it because it pushes me to be better.
6. What makes being on a relay team different from your other individual races?
CA: A relay team is a completely different experience of training. I am a 100-meter runner and during my individual race, I am just thinking about myself and blasting out those blocks, and my only concern is my performance and myself. With a relay team, you are holding your breath as you watch your other teammate pass the baton, crossing your fingers, and yelling at the top of your lungs. You are working together, as one unit. Any relay girl will tell you the way practices go, you have to repeat baton passes until you get the one that is just right so you can stop, and there are a lot of those. You feel drained and there are times of frustration, but when you do pass that baton just right, it is the best feeling in the world. Relay teams are unexplainable, I love being a part of the relay team and I am so glad I got to experience that with LBCC.
AD: Being on the relay, it is not just about you anymore. You have three other people who are counting on you and vice versa. Being on the relay gives you more motivation and a push to do better because not only are you running for yourself, but for your team as well.
SH: Being on a relay team is different from individual races because you have to rely on other people, it's not just you racing.
JR: Being on the relay team is different from individual races obviously because you're running with three other people, but there's a lot more mechanics but into it. It is not just running and giving off or receiving a baton. There is arm placement, different speeds, commands, and determination. We don't want any other team to win because of a slip up. One small thing could make or break the team and we lose. So we have to make sure we're perfect with handoffs and etc. It's a lot of pressure but it's actually very fun. That's why it's important to have a relationship with your teammates.
7. Any advice to other athletes?
CA: My advice to other athletes is to always push. Always seek above where you currently are standing and reach towards heights you don't think you can reach. Never let anyone steer you or discourage you on your athletic journey, don't compare yourself and never question your worth in your sport. Be kind and humble, and believe in yourself. Most of all be passionate about your sport.
AD: My advice for other athletes is never to give up and never think "It will never be me" because it can indeed be you no matter what it is. Just do the best you can and if you work for it, nothing is impossible.
SH: There's going to be days it's going to hurt and you feel defeated, tired and sore, but no matter how bad you feel never give up because at the end day it's going to be worth it. Every race you might not always win, but take your losses and build from them, go to practice the next day knowing what you need to work on so you can win that race next time.
JR: Advice I would give to other athletes would be to keep working hard. It's hard to stay motivated at times, but what's important is that you don't lose that focus and drive you had during your season. It will all pay off in the end.