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Full name: Jessica Denise Nichols Academic interest: Science Date of birth: Sept. 20, 1988 Hobbies: Talking on the phone, chillin' with friends, and going out Personal bests: 400-58.63/800-2:14.42/1500-4:50.41/1600-5:13.08/5000–19:28 |
scrunners: When did you start to compete in track and field?
nichols: I started at the age of nine.
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family compete in track and field?
nichols: My mother ran sprints throughout some of her high school years and I have a cousin in the 10th grade; Andre Ellington, who currently runs for Berkeley.
scrunners: How would you rate your 2005 season after setting a 800-meter state record?
nichols: After setting the 800-meter state record, on a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate my 2005 season a 10, because I achieved the goal I set out to accomplish.
scrunners: What kind of training did you do prior to and during the 2005 season?
nichols: Prior to the 2005 season I did a little cross country as a base and when track season started I did lots of quality workouts.
scrunners: How has this training changed for 2006?
nichols: Training for the 2006 season has changed vastly, because the workouts are more complex and intense. It's a different level since I want to run faster. My rest periods are much shorter.
scrunners: How would you rate your 2006 season so far?
nichols: On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate my 2006 season thus far an 8 because the beginning of the season started off with inconsistent workouts, due to minor strains which threw the rhythm off and having to adjust. I can't complain because I'm still much faster than I was last year at the same meets. Presently, everything is flowing smoothly.
scrunners: How do you feel cross country prepares you for the track season?
nichols: I have never been the one to enjoy cross country, but I think it is good conditioning and for gaining endurance.
scrunners: What do you consider the most prestigious meet you have competed? How did you do? Explain.
nichols: Let's see, I have competed in four prestigious meets, including Taco Bell, Nike Outdoor Nationals, USATF Junior Olympic Nationals, and The (Mobile) Challenge of Champions. But, the most prominent of them all would have to be Nike Outdoor Nationals. It's an honor to qualify for such a high status meet, because you're running with the best of the best throughout the nation. When you qualify to run in that meet your rollin' with only the big dogs. It's a meet where you have to be above your \"A\" game. I competed in the 800 unseeded last year. I didn't do well at all. My first lap was run correctly, but I went downhill afterwards like I was in the zone. I had other things on my mind and wasn't focused.
scrunners: What would you consider the biggest challenge you have had in running? How did you confront this challenge?
nichols: The biggest challenge I have had in running was having to run for time and still try to set PR's. I am still trying to confront this challenge, but right now I just try to correct it at practice.
scrunners: When a race scenario changes, how do you adapt? Explain.
nichols: The only time when a race scenario changes is when I am in a competitive race. For instance, in the 800, the first lap tends to go out much faster then expected. I just adjust and sit with the top three or four and make my moves around the 250-meter mark. Other than that my race scenarios are to get out comfortably, stay out, and keep riiiiiiiiden.
scrunners: Do you have any individual rivals? When and how did these rivals develop?
nichols: I don't consider my competitors rivals because rivals to me sounds as if they are my enemies. They are just great competitors. The only rival I have is my mental rivals. It's the voice inside my head that plays mind games and tries to force me to quit when physically I can make it. I believe that if I can drive myself past my mental rivals my mind would learn that my body can go a bit farther and faster. If I'm beaten mentally, I see no reason to stepping to the starting line.
scrunners: Have you ever been injured? Explain.
nichols: Yes, I've had hip injuries during my sophomore year. It had a lot to do with body development.
scrunners: How did you stay motivated during this time?
nichols: During that time it was hard to stay motivated, because even though I continued to run injured I didn't run well. It affected my performance in class and my attitude. But, as I started to work on recovering, my therapist and trainer motivated me a lot. They were my mentors through the ordeal and they helped greatly on getting me back mentally sound. They always had me focus on the accomplishments I can achieve rather than dwelling on the past.
scrunners: What keeps you motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life?
nichols: My conscious endeavor keeps me motivated to get out the door on a daily basis for life. Everyday should be set out to accomplish something no matter how big or small. That's the reason for living.
scrunners: Explain your warm-up procedure.
nichols: My warm-up procedure goes a little like this: a 10-minute jog, five minutes of stretching, two drills, a couple of get-outs, and whatever time that is remaining I listen to crunk music.
scrunners: Have you ever met a professional athlete? If so, when did you meet this person and what did you discuss with this individual?
nichols: I've met lots of professional athletes such as: Christi Gaines, Terrence Tramell, Allen Johnson, Lisa and Mikki Barber, and Justin Gatlin. All of them had similar messages to relay. They talked about the road to success is to overcome and not be dragged down by your troubles. Use your troubles as a drive to turn it positive. If you want your dreams to become a reality it takes hard work and determination. Justin Gatlin once said, to test your limits, work to exceed them. But, the one thing I remembered most is that my will shapes my future and if I fail to succeed it's no one\'s doing but my own. To achieve for my own self-satisfaction, not someone else's.
scrunners: Have you ever thought about coaching runners? If so, what level and why?
nichols: If I was to ever coach running I would coach them at a young age such as five to nine, because they are full of so much energy and I believe they would produce into better runners for the future.
scrunners: What made you decide to sign with the University of South Carolina?
nichols: I get this question asked all the time because some say that they are mainly a sprint/hurdle school and going there is irrelevant to the events I run. But, I decided to sign with USC to assist and make an attribution to their mid-distance and distance program, which will make them better than what they already are. They have produced great runners, have had many accomplishments as a team, and kept a dedicated coach with lots of experience and knowledge under his belt. Their girls track team is just plain raw and I want to be included in it.
scrunners: What other college visits did you make?
nichols: I also took a visit to N.c. A&T.
scrunners: On these college visits what did you do and discuss with the school representatives?
nichols: At these college visits I toured the campus, met the athletes and coaches, and experienced the classroom atmosphere. With the school representatives, we went through requirements and conditions as a student-athlete, opportunities the university provides, and expectations the university and track program requires of me.
scrunners: Who helped you make the decision to attend South Carolina?
nichols: My mom and trainer helped me make the decision. The people I love and my long-term aspirations also influenced my decision.
scrunners: What would you recommend to South Carolina athletes to become the best they can be in life and athletics?
nichols: To become the best you can be in life and athletics, I would suggest to South Carolina athletes that dedication, hard-work, the will not to give up, and commitment is what evolves dreams into realities. Set goals and strive to achieve them. The road may not be easy, but being brought down only makes you stronger as a person. If there is something you want to do, there isn't any reason why you can't do it. Don't let the past affect the outcome of your future. Oh, keep with you a quote that I keep with me everyday by Rosalyn Carter. "If you doubt you can accomplish something, then you can't accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through."
scrunners: What will you remember the most upon graduation in May?
nichols: Ahh man. Do I have to think about it now? It's such a sad moment because I'm a sensitive person at heart and I feel as though I'm leaving a part of me behind. Especially to people who believe in me, that I have made a difference to and lives I have reflected on. I will remember every moment of every achievement, trial, hardship and every downfall in my life that shaped who I am. Every day and every situation is a test, a learning experience. As a senior I have passed the tests of the first chapter. Now I am opening another to face new ones.
scrunners: What meets are left on your 2006 schedule?
nichols: State, Golden South and Nike Nationals. Possibly Junior Olympics.
scrunners: What do you plan to achieve the rest of this season?
nichols: For the rest of the season I plan to achieve a 2:10 or better in the 800, another state record, do as much as I can to represent S.C., and to have fun.
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and what do you expect a coach to look for in you?
nichols: In a coach I look for someone you can trust, have a good bond, seek as a motivator/mentor and one that will follow through with you when you are knocked down in life or experiencing hardships. More so, someone who always makes you do what you think you can not do so that you can be who you've always wanted to be.
scrunners: If there is one thing in the world you could do what would it be and why?
nichols: Help change the lives of those struggling in life and want to succeed, but can't because of what past problems have occurred, which resulted into an outcome they don't deserve and can't change because it is too late. Why? It is sad to see talent and potential go to waste because of a situation that could have been prevented. It's people with great potential that makes a difference in tomorrow. These people mean a lot to me.