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| Katherine Warden ran at Dreher High School for three years. |
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Full Name: Jeri Katherine Warden Date of Birth: Oct. 15, 1984 Hobbies: photography, play Cranium, bowl, chillin' with home girls, Marcie and Michele and Jesse. I like to color pics. Academic Interest: English Education, French, Education minor, coaching high school cc and track. Brothers Galand-22 Sisters Jaclyn-12 Macie-16 Lael-20 |
warden: It's wonderful. I love it. I have met life long friends. There is so much to do. In one word the experience is......AMAZING!
scrunners: With exams this week, how is that going to impact your running?
warden: It makes it a little tough to find time to practice between taking exams and studying. It will help me relax and relieve stress. Plus, Coach Baker is very good about working around our schedules.
scrunners: What was the best part of your 2003 cross-country season?
warden: I would say the people. I really think the girls have formed a wonderful bond. The freshman girls really clicked. I love Michele, pulling me in front and Marcie pushing me from behind. I'm like a Milner sandwich! Ha ha! Coach Baker is a great coach. He has really helped me build up my mileage, which is what I desperately needed to work on. My season was plagued by a nagging injury so I don't think I was at my best, but I look to improve during track.
scrunners: What was the least memorable part of your 2003 cross-country season?
warden: My injury was really disappointing but even more so I think as a team we didn't live up to our potential. We have a lot of talent and I think once we pull it all together we will have a competitive team!
scrunners: How did you adapt to the increase in miles during college?
warden: I was only running 40-45 miles over the summer and we went to around 55-60 miles during the season. That's a HUGE leap for me. I think my legs took a beating getting use to the high mileage, I know my knee did. The increase was challenging, but I have adjusted and conquered.
scrunners: How was it to change from running 5k to 6k races in collegiate cross-country?
warden: We only have run two 6k races. I really did not get much experience with the 6k because I was already hurt when we ran the races. Since I was hurt I was not running at my full potential. I really don't down how the change is; I'll get to you on that one after next xc season.
scrunners: What kind of goals are you setting for your first indoor season and outdoor season? What events would you like to run?
warden: First off I want to stay healthy. H-E-A-L-T-H-Y is the key word! Pray for no more injuries! I want to be consistent and just do my best. I can't ask for anything better than doing the best I am capable of. I also want to work on being patient. For indoor I would like to run the 600, 800, and 1600. I may try the 3000. Watch out for GWU's Distance Medley Relay team! When outdoor starts in March I am aiming to run the 800, 1500 and maybe a 3000 along with being an alternate for the 1600 relay.
scrunners: What made you choose to attend Gardner-Webb?
warden: Honestly, at first I did not want to come to GWU. God kept mentioning GWU in my head and eventually led me here. Coach Baker's credibility as a coach and experience as a colligate/professional athlete caught my eye. Also the academics are really good here. I also liked the fact that I would have really good training partners. I don't know, it just felt right. God is wonderful, because I LOVE IT!
scrunners: What are you interested in studying?
warden: I have declared my major already; I am an English major with an education and French minor. I want to teach high school English and coach xc and track.
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| Warden likes to color in her free time. |
scrunners: Core classes are the least favorite classes, but do you have a set plan on when you would like to be done with these classes and when you would like to graduate?
warden: I hope to be done in four years.
scrunners: In college, has your weightlifting schedule increased, if so, how much and has it helped you with strength and speed, along with preventing injuries in the present and future?
warden: We are lifting consistently and it is great to have strengthening coaches with a "Big Picture" outlook. I feel confident that they are getting me ready to be at my best! I feel strong and toned! Grrr……………………..
scrunners: What kind of surface do you prefer to run on the most?
warden: I like trails because they are the most exciting, fun and include a variety of terrain such as dirt, grass, and roots.
scrunners: What other colleges did you look to attending before signing with GWU?
warden: I looked at The REAL Carolina, USC, Charleston-Southern University, SMU, and Jacksonville State University before deciding to be a Running Bulldog at the best university—Gardner Webb! GO DAWGS!
scrunners: What do you remember the most from high school?
warden: My sophomore year was GREAT! I came to South Carolina with no expectations. Track was a wonderful surprise! The BEST thing was winning the team state championship, our coaches said we could do it and amazingly we did! I don't think anyone knew what Dreher was really capable of. I still remember winning the 1600, it is an indescribable feeling. I remember coming down the straight way think WOW is this really happening—all I could do was smile! Then the 800, another surprise! It was exciting because I never thought myself as a State Champion. After the State meet it was great to be recognized by our State representatives as teams state champions and as an individual state champion. Also a lot more recognition followed, like being AAA Track Athlete of the year, it was fun! I am still very thankful! Also during high school it was exciting to be one of SC top 10 state finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman student-athletes. I really like being recognized by them because it shows me as a very diverse and well rounded person—not just an athlete but as a student and a community volunteer.
scrunners: Does or did anyone else in your family run? If so, when, where and how long?
warden: My brother (Galand) and sister (Lael) ran in high school and still continue to run on their own. My dad (Robert) is a runner. He does lots of road races and stuff. My dad and I have a special bond through running. He is my biggest supporter. We use to get up at 5:30 over the summer and sometimes during the school year to run. I miss running with him!
scrunners: What do you look for in a coach and do you expect a coach to look for in you?
warden: I expect a coach to be passionate about what he does meaning he/she enjoys being at the track as much as I do. I think he/she should have a good foundation and knowledge of the sport. A coach also needs to be encouraging and have patience while being able to understand each individual's needs. A coach should also know each athletes physical limits and challenge these limits on a daily basis. A coach also should be there for personal reasons and for running. In other words a coach needs to be intune with how you are feeling. I need a coach that will give constructive criticism in a way that will not make me feel bad. I need a coach that I can look up to. In high school I was lucky to be surrounded by coaches that met all my needs. I am also lucky to have a great college Coach, Coach Baker, I think over the next four years we'll develop a great athlete-coach relationship. As an athlete I don't like to give anything else than my best. This is sometimes bad because when I'm injured I don't like to take time off; I want to just push through. My biggest fault is beating myself up because I get discouraged knowing that I can do better. I am very goal orientated and won't settle anything less then the best. I am a persevering and determined athlete and person. All in all, I expect to be a coachable person.
scrunners: How many years have you run in the South Carolina state championships?
warden: I ran all three years I lived in South Carolina. I ran the 800, 1600, 3200, 4x400, and 4x800. (Twice Dreher was State Champions, one year runner up!)
scrunners: Explain to the scrunners.com viewers, your father's career and how you have traveled around the world. What has that done for you, positively and negatively?
warden: My dad is a Chaplain in the United States Army. He is currently stationed in Korea. Before moving to South Carolina I lived in Texas, Germany and Virginia. Being that both of my parents are ministers the traveling has made me more culturally aware of different surroundings. Along with the traveling I have had the opportunities to easily adapt to meeting new people and except change. I have had the opportunities a lot of people in the United States have not had, such as how people live outside the United States. I think these experiences have made me very open-minded. For running, I had probably the best running trails when living in Germany because we had mountains. In American we have hills, enough said.
scrunners: Is there anyone you want to say hi to anyone?
warden: I first want to say hi to my family. I love you mommy and daddy. I love you Galand, Lael, Macie and Jaclyn. I also want to say hi to all my coaches: Coach Brooks, Bennie Isaac, Patrick, Coach Judy Ray, Maurice Campbell, Coach Kelly Williams and Coach Ollie Wooden, Coach Dalton, Coach Thorpe. I also want to say hi to all my friends and teammates at Dreher. I want to say hello to my cat Whizbang. Howdy to all my peeps in Texas.
scrunners: Explain why you started to run?
warden: Both, my brother and sister ran. I wanted to be like them!
scrunners: When did you start to run?
warden: I ran for a track club the summer after my first grade year, but then I moved to Germany and didn't run until I was in 6th grade. I had to stop running because of an injury (Osgood slaughters). So, technically, I did not start running until my seventh grade year in Germany. I haven't stopped since then!
scrunners: In South Carolina, what is your favorite meet and course to run?
warden: I like the Milliken course for cross-country and for track I have to say the Airport track because it is fast and has a mondo surface. I wish that they would host the state championships!
scrunners: What kind of running shoes did you wear throughout high school for training and racing? Did it change for track season and cross-country?
warden: I ran in Nike all throughout high school. This past summer I changed to New Balance and now I am in love with them. However, my love affair has ended because Gardner-Webb is sponsored by Adidas.
scrunners: What are you wearing in college?
warden: The school gives me Adidas. They are a little too wide and have too much cushioning but they will work. No complaints, they're free!
scrunners: From running the 800 and 1600 in track. Do you see yourself as a more short distance runner instead of being more tuned for cross-country?
warden: Coach Baker told me I am more of a 1500 meter runner because of my build. I agree with him! But who knows, God might have a different plan, we'll see!
scrunners: Where do you enjoy running the most at GWU?
warden: The Broad River is a Beautiful place to run! There are also trails near school. I also like to aqua jog in Bost Pool.
scrunners: On the high school level, who was your biggest individual rival and team rival?
warden: Sarah Binkley was a teammate of mine and competitor, but not a rival. Some other major competitors of mine included Elizabeth Embler and Kenzie Lang.
scrunners: Have you developed any rivals since starting out at GWU?
warden: We really don't have one (at GWU), but as a team we never know who will take the second through fifth spots. We love to push each other!
scrunners: How did it feel to go back to South Carolina to run meets, especially the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia? Did you have family come watch you at any of these meets?
warden: Everyone was there. My family, coaches and high school teammates. It was great to have them there and very encouraging. That was the best meet of the season because I had so many people supporting me. That was my best meet of the season Following the meet we had a nice meal at Villa Tronco. If you are in Columbia, you HAVE to eat there! Yummy!
scrunners: In a race do you prefer a tactic race that starts out slow or maybe fast or an all out guts race, why?
warden: I prefer the all out, guts race because I am like Pre. I like the guts race because I it's more fun and exciting and it gives me a raw, animalistic feeling.
scrunners: If you could meet one person, who would it be and why? What would you want to do with this person in one 24 hour span?
warden: I would meet Jim Ryun because I consider him the best distance runner ever and also his outspoken faith in God. Read his book, In Quest of Gold! I would also want to meet Jackie Joyner-Kersee because she has inspired me as a female athlete. I would recommend reading her book, A Kind of Grace. I would go for a run with Ryun and Joyner-Kersee (do what we love best), talk, hang out, treat them as normal people and go out to eat.
scrunners: Have you ever met a professional runner? If so, where, and what did you talk about?
warden: Coach Baker. 1994 5000m National champion and he ran professionally for New Balance. That's my Coach!
scrunners: Are you more used to short distance training and speed work or do you prefer running long?
warden: I am speedy person so I enjoy speed work. But, I also like to go out for a long run; I just love to run!
scrunners: When talking to high school athletes and with a little over four months of college experience, what would you like to say to high school athletes, especially seniors, when looking for a college?
warden: I would say don't always go after the big schools, small schools have lots to offer. Running-wise you might not get as much "stuff" at a small school as you would at a big school but the individual attention is wonderful. Not only in running, but in school. You get to know all your professors, which is a wonderful thing!
scrunners: What motivates you to get out the door every morning and afternoon?
warden: Teammates, I get up for my teammates. I know I have a team obligation and I don't want to let them down and myself down.
scrunners: Have you ever cross-trained? How do you believe cross training helps with running in layoff periods?
warden: I have become an avid aqua jogger in Bost Pool. I really was surprised how much I stayed in shape.
scrunners: What is the most prestigious meet you have competed in? How did you place and what other runners were there from South Carolina and the nation?
warden: I have to say the East Coast Invitational that used to be in Maryland. It is now at Duke. I also have run in the Army ten-miler in Washington D.C. and Taco Bell Track & Field Classic.
scrunners: What do you see South Carolina running achieve in the future with runners such as Kate Niehaus, Sarah Binkley, Ryan Jank, Trevor Beesley and several others?
warden: The standards are being pushed in South Carolina and the state is becoming more known in the national setting. This recognition will help get more people out running and participating in high school xc/track.
scrunners: What does South Carolina need to do in training and competition to increase the knowledge of the state's running to others?
warden: I think there needs to be more summer programs, camps, club teams, promotional seminars, coaching clinics, more junior varsity meets, and open races to help increase the knowledge of the sport. I think middle school programs need to develop too.
scrunners: Did you have a pre race tradition that started from high school and you are continuing in college?
warden: When I get nervous I drink lots of water and Gatorade. I pee up to the start of the run, I think I have the world record for that! Ask my family and teammates about that one! I also say a little pray to God, not really to ask Him to necessarily help me win, but just to glorify Him with my running and use my talent he has given me to the best of my ability. And for patience!
scrunners: What is your favorite running or inspirational book, why? How many times have you read this book and what appeals to you the most while reading the book and what do you remember the most from the book when not reading the book?
warden: I like Gods' Game Plan (FCA devotional Bible), In Quest of Gold by Jim Ryun (read 3-4 times). Ryun's book shows the reality of the sport through the good and bad times. It also shows how God is involved in all aspects of life, even running. And that as God's people we just need to give everything to Him and not worry. Another book is A Kind of Grace (read 2-3 times) by Jackie Joyner-Kersee because it shows the reality of being a female athlete. She also emphasizes the importance of God. Also they are both just great role models, in running and in character.
For more information on Warden e-mail john@scrunners.com.