Simms ended up winning the triple jump title indoors (USC sports info) |
1. With the top mark in the triple jump this season, how are you feeling and what have you been working on to solidify your chances even more of winning the NCAA title?
It feels great to be back from my injury from last year. I'm working hard in practice on my jumps including working a lot in the weight room and on my speed and technique. I'm trying to sharpen things up before the national meet.
2. You were also a three-time All-American during your freshman year at George Mason. What was the deciding factor in transferring to USC and how has the transition to the west coast gone for you so far?
USC just had a great program, there are better facilities and the weather is great out here. I can train year-round, indoors and outdoors. Most of all, it's more disciplined out here and there is more emphasis on the team. I am more focused out here. There are less distractions. It's also great to have training partners like Julien Kapek and Andre Serrette to help me. They are great jumpers.
3. As the first male ever to sweep the long and triple jumps at the U.S. Junior Championships in 2001, what has been some of the more rewarding experiences for you so far during your athletic career?
Taking the trips with the U.S. Junior team overseas, having that whole international experience. Having the chance to compete against some future greats. I've been injured since that experience so I haven't had a chance to do much since.
4. The last time you were at Arkansas, you set a personal best in the triple jump with your mark of 55-5. With that impressive leap at the facility, did that give you a strong edge in confidence knowing you can perform well there?
Yes it did. I really didn't know how I would perform. I just knew that Kapek was going to jump far, so I thought I would give him some competition. I knew there would be other great athletes there as well. I knew my training was going well. I felt stronger and faster and I knew I could produce a good mark, even though I was going from a short approach.
5. Looking ahead to the outdoor season, what kind of marks would you like to accomplish?
I'd like to go over 17 meters (56 feet) in the triple jump and over 8.15 (26-9) in the long jump, but my main focus is the triple jump. I want to qualify in the world champs outdoors and compete internationally in the summer time.
6. Your teammate, Julien Kapek, took third in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last year and holds the USC record with his mark of 55-8.50. How important is it to have such a strong group of athletes around you like Kapek?
Kapek is a great training partner. We are very competitive in training. He helps me out a lot. He pushes me because he has that mark out there.
7. Although the triple jump seems to be your premier event, you also excel at the long jump as well. Is it hard for you to train and focus on both events technically, physically and mentally?
Now it is, because the more you try to excel in one event, it's harder to bring that other event along. The practices for each event are different. For the long jump, you need more speed. There is more speed training and great speed is what I lack.
8. What is the campus life like at USC and what do you enjoy the most about it?
It's great. I love being in a big city of Los Angeles. The people here are cool. The weather is great. There is sun almost every day. You have so much time to train as I do twice a day.
9. Who are some of the most important influential people in your life today?
A great friend of mine (Vinnie), my girlfriend back home in Maryland (Tabby) and my family.