Wilson looks for his first ever NCAA title this season (iuhoosiers.com) |
1. After taking runner-up in the triple jump and sixth in the long jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships, how did the indoor season go for you and what would you like to accomplish for the outdoor season?
My indoor season went very well aside from finishing second at NCAA's. I feel that I got a lot stronger and that I made some big improvements in my technique. Outdoors I hope to continue to improve. I still believe that I am capable of winning and that is my goal this season going into USATF's.
2. As a native of Fallon, Nevada, what made you decide to enroll at Indiana University?
Indiana University is a great school. There is also great tradition and support for student athletes in competion and even more inside the classroom. However, one of the keys factors in my decision was my jumps coach, Coach Pate. I was very comfortable with him and his ideas. I felt confident in him as a coach and mentor for me here at IU.
3. You really came through at the Florida Relays this season already by posting career-bests in both the triple jump and long jump. Has there been anything different in your training leading into the outdoor season?
My training has always been since at IU geared towards jumping far when it counts. My performances in Florida were a great starting place for this outdoor season but they are just that - a start for a hopefully very successful outdoor season.
4. What are some of the more explosive plyometric activities that you work on and help translate over to the jumps?
As far as drills go that I feel are helping the most are some of the bounding exercises we do off of our plyo boxes. These drills seem to really make my legs stronger and more explosive
5. How important is it for you to be mentally prepared before every event and is there anything that you do to help you relax?
For me, just the thrill of competition is enough to get me focused. I try use my opponents actions as motivation for me during the competition.
6. As one of the best young triple jumpers in the United States right now, what are your plans in training for the upcoming World Outdoor Championships and Olympic Games in 2004?
Right now I want to keep getting stronger and faster. My speed could use some improvement and I could use some work on my technique as well. I am mainly going to try and focus on my transitions between my phases and try and get those as fast as I can.
7. Who do you give most of the credit towards for your success on and off the track?
First and foremost I thank God. Of course if not through him I wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am now. There are probably 3 people that I have to give the credit to. They would be my jumps coach Wayne Pate here at IU and then my parents, Kirsten and Stan Wilson.
8. Based on your experience at the collegiate level, what are some of the most important factors you have learned to help shape you into the best student-athlete that you can be?
The most important factor to me would have to be just the fact that you are happy where you are at. When I see people that don't like their environment, it seems to hurt there overall performance as students and as athletes. Time management is also a key to being successful in college.
9. Who are some of the athletes you look up to for any advice and even if it's just watching them on tape?
I obviously really look up to Jonathan Edwards a lot. He is an amazing jumper.
10. Although Indiana is well known for their basketball program, how much respect and appreciation does the track & field program get from the community?
All sports at IU are treated very well. Our track program receives a lot of respect in the forms of billboards and attendance at track meets.
11. If you could step into the shoes of another person for one day to see what it's like, who would it be and why?
I would like to be in Bill gates shoes for a day. I think it would be fun to have the resources to do anything you wanted with out any thought of cost or anything.