Burley figures to be one of the favorites this season in the 800 meters for Penn |
1. After taking second in the 800 meter final at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships, what kind of expectations do you have for yourself this season?
I would like to make the finals indoors and win USATF and/or NCAA title outdoors. I haven't had the fall I wanted so my time is going to depend on how my workouts go over the next two months. I know that if I want to be competitive at a higher level I need to be able to run below 1:45.
2. You opened your indoor season with a solid time of 2:26.13 in the 1000 meters. How much of a base do you have right now in order to peak and run a fast time in the 800 meters?
I have been doing more strength-speed workouts this fall. Hopefully they will compensate for my lower mileage until I can get my base in.
3. What separates you from some competitors is your ability to kick an area where you could challenge some of the best runners in the world. Is this a strategy you are most comfortable with right now or would you like to change anything?
It is crucial for me to stay smooth through 400 meters. It doesn't matter if that is a 54 or a 50, as long as it's smooth. I actually run close to even splits, it just looks like I speed up because everyone else is slowing down. Ideally, I want to go out with the leaders more this year, but I realize that I have a part to play so it's probably not going to happen.
4. You scored 20.5 points to help lead Pennsylvania to the 2002 Heptagonal title. How important is it to focus on the team title as an individual in your events?
Very important, when it comes too Heptagonals I do whatever my coach thinks will help the team. I feel sorry for national caliber runners who run easy in, or skip, conference championships. I did well at nationals last year, but the greatest moment of my athletic career was running the third leg on our 4x4 at Heps. We were tied for the lead going into the race and broke the meet record and our own PB to win. It doesn't matter how good you are; you have too back your teammates play. We have a close team, and I respect the work they put in too much to shirk my responsibility.
5. How much did it mean to you by being ranked the third U.S. 800 meter runner?
It was nice, but it also wasn't my goal. At the beginning of the season I set a goal of being top three at outdoor nationals. The fast time came from the quality of the competition.
6. As a standout from the state of Wyoming in high school, what was the deciding factor in coming to Pennsylvania?
Balance and coaching. I am injury prone so I never know if the next injury is going to be my last and I wanted an education. Also, after visiting the school and talking to Coach Powell I was convinced that he would maximize my talent.
7. It should be a loaded field this year in the 800 meters. Who do you see as some of the top competitors at the collegiate level right now?
There's a lot of young American talent and some of us will develop enough to become internationally competitive. That said, Lekote has shown that he is the favorite and he will be until someone steps up to take his title from him.
8. How much will you focus on competing in the mile run indoors and 1500 meters outdoors?
For now my event is the 800, but as my base and strength increases I feel the call of the mile more and more. Distance is my weakness so it has taken a few years to get the base I need for a quick mile. I should run one later this year.
9. The Penn Relays is one of the most prestigious and historic meets in the world. Is there anything in particular that you would like to accomplish at the meet this year?
To field a relay that can compete for a title.
10. What would you like to be doing 10 years from now?
Driving fast cars and dating faster women all from the safety of my parents basement. Ideally I would like to start working for NASA and try out for the astronautics program. But I could also see myself working in bioremediation, or being a sailor. I am really not sure. I do know that I will be married, and that I will have a bulldog named Huxley, but that is about it.
11. What athlete or role model do you look up to?
Alan Shepard; he hit golf balls on the moon.