Competing with the best for West Ashley's Darrell Singleton, Jr.

What are your goals for the remaining part of the season after Taco Bell Classic weekend?
Hopefully run faster times in my individual and relay events, concentrate on a state title

How would you rate training now and preseason?  
Preseason workouts were harder and a little more intense than they are currently heading into the region and state championship finals.

How would you rate your Taco Bell Classic weekend and did the meet give you added confidence?
The best performance of my high school career, so it has helped my confidence knowing I can compete with the best.

How long have you been running and how did you get started? 
I have been running for three years and I started when my friends on the football team pushed me into joining them on the team.

Do you have a specific motivation? 
My motivation comes from wanting to represent myself, my friends, my community and my family to the best of my abilities.

Will you be competing out of state this season? 
Yes. I was chosen by the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation to compete in Cuba with 27 other high school athletes from around the U.S.

What do you enjoy about the West Ashley team? 
We have great team chemistry and support for one another. We all push each other to compete at the highest possible level. It's been a great three years building relationships with my teammates that will last long beyond high school athletics.

Do you have a pre-race tradition? 
I normally zone out and think of how far I've come since I started running and I take a few minutes to talk and thank God for everything in my life while I'm warming up. I then get on the track and vision my complete race before stretching into my blocks and waiting on the gun to sound. 

What race strategy works best for you? 
I just run my race. I worry about myself and my mechanics as I prepare to run. I have a predetermined goal and I always try to stay focused on the task at hand. I try and save all conversations for after I run.  

What has been your biggest challenge in the sport? How did you overcome the challenge?
When I first started running I was not too sure of myself. I was pretty slow and had zero form. I learned to get past this by listening to my Coach (Coach O'Donald) and trusting in myself and Coach to help me improve, which I have over the past three years.  

What (so far) is your favorite race in your high school career? 
Competing and performing well at the Taco Bell Classic. That was the biggest showcase meet that I have run in.

Favorite running memory? 
My favorite track memory so far is running a 10.48 (watch the race) at the Taco Bell Classic, and hearing the announcer announce my time and U.S. ranking (current no. 5) (state rankings). I knew this would give me the opportunity to increase my scholarship offers and pursue a college education and prevent my Mom from having to pay a lot of money towards my education. It's been equally exciting experiencing faster times and personal bests as I compete and continue to improve my school record time. I hope I haven't completed all my favorite memories with the State Qualifier and Finals next month.

When you are not running what is your favorite thing to do? 
I enjoy working on my car and visiting local car shows when they are in Charleston. My other favorite thing is to just enjoy being a senior and hang out with my friends.

Favorite quote? 
A like the quote from the Under Armour:registered: commercial that says "It's what you do in the dark that puts you in the light." In other words practice, practice, practice.

If there is one thing you could do in the world what would it be and why? 
The one thing I hope to do is give back to the community that has supported me throughout my life.