LR: So Mia, what made you choose Mississippi State?
Mia: I chose Mississippi State because I absolutely love the coach, team, campus, athletic facilities, and just overall atmosphere. I truly believe that running at MSU will help me become a better person and athlete. I couldn’t be any more excited than I already am.
LR: Have you ever done any other sports besides track and cross country? And how did you get into running?
Mia: I actually have! Before I got into running, I was a huge soccer fanatic. I played for 12 years, and when I was about 12-13, I played on the regional soccer team for my age group and was on that until my junior year. I also played soccer at Dominican until my junior year, and I started on the 5A state championship team my freshman year. My dream/goal was to go to UNC and play on their soccer team (just like Mia Hamm). But one day, the track/xc coach at Dominican saw me running in PE, so she contacted me and told me to join the team. I did it at first in order to stay in shape for soccer, but over time the sport grew on me and my love for soccer turned into my passionate love for running.
LR: What kind of subject academically interests you, and do you have any idea on what you may be majoring in? If so, what and why?
Mia: I love English and Art, and I am majoring in Mass Communications. I’ll major in Broadcasting and minor in journalism. I chose that because my dream is to be a sports reporter!
LR: If you could describe your love for running in one word, what would it be?
Mia: Euphoria
LR: Every runner seems to have some pre-race rituals. Other than specific meals and your warmup routine, is there anything you do leading up to race day to help you relax?
Mia: To be honest, I goof off as much as possible. I listen to my music as loud as I can and I dance and sing a lot! I jump around and am constantly moving. Before every race I do a little dance-thing on the track before the gun goes off. I try not to think about the race until I step onto the line. It’s weird, but it works for me!
LR: If we asked them, how do you think your friends and teammates would describe you?
Mia: I think they would describe me as a dreamer, goal driven, hardworking, determined, and a little crazy. I actually quote one of my teammates with “balls to the wall”, haha.
LR: You’re moving on in your track career. What are some of your goals as you go to the next level?
Mia: So far, my goals are to help my team really do well in the SEC’s in every possible way. I just want to be the best teammate I can be. But some dreams of mine are to be an SEC champion in whatever event I end up running in and to break a school record.
LR: If you could trade lives with any professional athlete, who would it be?
Mia: Genevive LaCaze or Cory McGee (even though she isn’t a pro yet).
LR: Besides the 1600m, what other events do you run?
Mia: I’ve ran the 800, 4x800, and 4x400 in the past, but this year I think I may try out the 3200.
LR: So…we noticed that you sat out for the entire indoor season. Why?
Mia: I’ve been injured for the past 8 weeks. My right foot has been giving me a ton of issues. It’s been an absolute roller coaster.
LR: You’re the defending 1600m state champion for 5A, and you had the composite time at the state meet last year with a 5:07. How are you planning on coming back from your injury and defending your title?
Mia: I’ve been staying in shape by doing a lot of cross training and I’ve been to 2 different physical therapists and a chiropractor. I’m in decent shape, so my plan now (since I’m basically healthy, finally) is to start running again with my team and build back up to where I need to be so that in May, I can really compete to the best of my ability. It’s hard because I feel so far behind… but with every setback, there’s a chance to comeback and rise.
LR: Thanks Mia and good luck!
<p> Are you running/jumping/throwing in college? Have we not added you to our series "Class of 2014:Where are you going?" Drop us an email at pat@louisianarunning.com including a picture of your signing (if you have one), where you will be competing, and in what event. Thanks!</p>
