Greer claimed the indoor title in the 60 meter hurdles for Tennessee (UTsports.com) |
1. You are coming off an indoor national title in the 60 meters with your time of 7.55 seconds. The time also broke Willie Gault's 20-year-old school record of 7.67. How did you feel along with the training heading into the meet?
I felt very cofident that I was going to do my best, not necessarily win, but to compete with 100% effort.
2. You also competed outdoors last year but this was your first indoor season of your collegiate career. Now that the outdoor season is here, what kind of times would you like to meet in your events?
I would like to improve in every meet that I can. I will not limit myself to a certain time or such, but try to have that championship intensity every time I am on the line.
3. Sprints coach Vince Anderson, in which the eight NCAA individual titles in the last four NCAA meets for Tennessee all came courtesy of him, has helped you bring you to a new level of success. Describe what it's like to work with him along with some of the best workouts he has to offer you during the season.
Coach Anderson is with out a doubt one of the finest coaches in America. He is not only technique concious, but is also one of the wisest men I have ever known. There have been times where practice has not only consisted of sprints and hurdles, but of valuable life lessons that will last long after the season has ceased.
4. Former teammate and national champion Justin Gatlin recently won the World Indoor Championship title in the 60 meters. How does it feel to have a former teammate win on such a large stage like that and what has he taught you over the past year to be where you are today?
It has seemed crazy at times that the same guy which sat next to me in African American studies class, is now champion of the world. But with his focus and work ethic, I believe that this is only the beginning for Juice.
5. Not many people realize that you were a walk-on to the Tennessee program. Given your success in a Vols uniform already, what kind of advice can you give out to all the young athletes out there who wish to walk-on to a collegiate program at any level?
I think it takes dertmination on the part of the athlete and also dedication on the part of the coach. Running for a program as prestigous as Tennessee as there have been times when I felt uncertain about my ability. The only thing that I can tell anybody, is that you get out what you put in. Warm up hard, train hard, preform hard. To succeed, one must mentally picture themselves succeeding and then take it to the track.
6. Although you were a walk-on, you could have gone to a number of schools out there given you were a Tennessee state high school champion. What made you decide to attend the University of Tennessee?
When I moved to Tennessee from Houston, I just experienced the volunteer fever people would catch aroud here. I was always a fan of Texas Tech, but I also wanted to see if I could compete with the best. Also, they were open to the idea of me playing football and running track which was a major plus. I fell in love with the campus, the team and the oppurtunity.
7. Head coach Bill Webb has given the Tennessee men's program a great success of light over the past several years with a pair of national team titles. How do the Vols look heading into this outdoor season, along with gaining such athletes as Marc Sylvester back for the home stretch?
I believe that we will be exciting to watch. All I am going to say is "Tennessee Track: Stay Tuned."
8. Describe what the campus of Tennessee and the city of Knoxville has to offer for those of us who have never been there.
Knoxville is a fast growing city with a population reaching one million. It is filled with "Soutern Hospitality", constant road construction and the craziest weather I have every been exposed to.
9. What have you enjoyed the most about your time and experience so far at Tennessee?
I have enjoyed playing in front of 107,000 screaming fans, also the fans I have made and the things I have accomplished -- so far.
10. All collegiate athletes will always remember the road trips and traveling to different places around the country. What has been one of the more memorable trips you have taken and shared with your teammates?
I would have to say the Penn Relays in 2002 and also to Florida and California. I have been so many places that athletics have taken me. I feel blessed and very fortunate.
11. Which athlete or role model do you look up to?
I am not sure which professional athelete or celebrity I look up to. I have a beautiful, strong black mother that I could honestly say is my number one role model. She and my father have supported me from little league to now. They are the number one reason that I have accomplished some of the things on my list and they know I am not done yet -- so stay tuned.