Name: Kathleen Babb
Personal bests: 100m (12.64) / 200m (26.45) / 400m (60.2)
Academic interests: My favorite classes are Biology and Spanish.
Hobbies: I really enjoy traveling and being outdoors.
Favorite quote: "The faster you run, the sooner you're done"
How did you get involved in the sport?
When I was in eighth grade, Coach Wilson told me that he thought I could be a good runner and encouraged me to come out for the team.
Tell us about your thoughts on this season so far?
Despite some crazy weather conditions, the season has gone pretty well so far. I am happy with where I am individually and how our team is performing.
How do you look at being one of the top-ranked SCISA athletes?
There are a lot of really good athletes in SCISA, so to be considered among them is really an honor and something I never would have expected when I started running track.
How are you feeling the week of the SCISA Championships?
I'm feeling really excited this week. I want to finish strong and have a fun ending to my last track season.
How do you look at the state meet with the chance to defend your state titles?
Going into the state meet, I want to run how I always run and not change the things I've been doing all season that have helped me be successful.
What is it like for you to be able to compete in public school meets and place?
Even though our team is small and not in the public school league, running against top-level competition like that is a challenge, but I know it makes me a better runner.
From your success in 2017, what goals did you have at the beginning of the season and for the rest of the season?
My goals were to do my best, set new PR's, defend my region and state titles, and have as much fun with my teammates this season as I can.
What's your favorite event and why?
I would say the 200m. I don't have a very specific reason for it other than it's a balance between the quickness of the 100m and the distance of the 400m.
Do you have a specific motivation?
I'm naturally a very competitive person. So I don't need a lot of outside motivation get ready for competition.
What has been your biggest challenge in the sport?
My limited training schedule is my biggest challenge. I know many of my opponents get to have a full preseason while I am finishing the basketball season. So that is something I have to overcome each season.
Do you have any post season meet plans?
After graduation, I look forward to enjoying my last summer before college. My family and I plan to travel and I have a good friend from Germany coming to visit. After that, I will be attending The University of Colorado Boulder in the fall.
Walk us through a race for you (from pre race until post race).
I'll use the 400m as my example. I like to take advantage of having both the 100m and the 4x100m before my race. It helps me prepare mentally and physically for the 400m. I like to go through all of my dynamic drills and warmups early. When the gun goes off, I try to get out fast through the first 100m and move to a steady pace for the next phase of the race. I know from that point, I have to empty the tank and run as hard as I can through the finish. Post-race I jog, stretch and try to get off my feet to recover before the 200m.
Do you play other sports? How does track help you with other sports and vice versa?
Yes, I play volleyball in the fall and basketball in the winter. Since I started running track, I know it has helped me get physically stronger, improve my speed and power and prepare me for the big moments in big games. On the other side of it, basketball really has to be my preseason training, since our schedule runs through the end of February with playoffs.
How and when did you start training for track and field this season?
I actually wasn't able to start training for track season until the beginning of March since our basketball team made it deep into the playoffs. So I only get a little over 8 weeks of full training. I know it puts me at a disadvantage, but that just makes me work harder, and smarter to try and be at my best by the end of the season.
What do you enjoy the most about the Spartanburg Day team?
I love my teammates. We really encourage and support each other and have fun, especially our 4x100m relay team. Plus, I really enjoy being able to run with my sister, Hannah.
What do you feel you have learned from your coaches, teammates and the sport?
I know it sounds a little cliché, but I've learned that if I want to be successful and see results, I need to push myself, be consistent and always focus on doing my best.
What would like to see happen in the future?
I would like to see the sport keep growing. I've met some really good people through track, on my team and on other teams. The athletes and coaches I am around really respect each other, who they are and how hard they work.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
I really love to travel and discover new places. I would like to travel to all 50 states (I've been to 21 so far) and continue to travel around the world and experience new things.