Name: Zariere Dumas
Personal bests: 100-11.83, 200- 24.08, 400- 55.53
Academic interests: I want to study sports law in college.
Hobbies: Listening to music, baking, watching Netflix, sleeping, and a new hobby is playing Fortnite
Favorite quotes: "When you have got something to prove, there is nothing greater than a challenge. Good is not good when better is expected.
How did you get involved in the sport?
Well, I started competing with gymnastics at a young age and wanted to try other sports as well. Since my dad used to compete in track and field, I tried it also and fell in love with it. Initially, I only ran the 400m and 800m and relays to build my endurance and slowly I got better in the sprints.
Tell us about your trip to Florida this past weekend.
Going into the meet I knew there was going to be strong competition and that the meet would have prelims for almost every event, so I tried to stay very hydrated on the days the before the meet and also on the bus. The meet was extremely nice because of the warm weather. I was excited to be running against some of the best ladies in nation because I knew they would push me to run faster times.
Please walk us through the races.
In the 100 prelims, I simply wanted to make finals and then I would focus more after that. I concentrated on my different phases, form and fully finishing to the end without slowing down even if I won. The overall goal in the 100 was to run 11 seconds so I was happy to reach that goal. For my 4x100 team, we wanted to get the baton around the track with no mistakes in our new lineup and to make finals. In the 4x400 we agreed to each run to the best of our and finish the meet strong. I am proud of relay teams as we will continue to improve.
Vote for girls performance of the week and discuss
What is your favorite race and why?
The 200, because I LOVE running the curve and I have enough room to comeback if needed. It's not as long as the 400m or as short as the 100m, so it's my happy place.
What do you hope to achieve at Bob Jenkins SCTCCCA Coaches Classic?
I hope to have great showings in my individuals and would love to PR, but it is still early in the season. For our relays, we want to focus on handoffs and finish strong.
How do you look at being ranked as the top in the state in the 100?
It's definitely an honor because I have not always been a 100m runner, so I am very humbled and grateful to compete in it. I have been working really hard to become better and compete more in the 100. I can think of several other athletes from South Carolina that have inspired me to achieve these goals and times.
From your success in 2017, what do you hope to do this season coming up?
I definitely want to continue to improve each meet, but not at such a fast rate. As a sophomore, I want to continue to have fun with this journey and not stress so much and of course earn any titles that we can.
Do you have a specific motivation?
A college degree is my number one goal. With track and college, I would love to travel the world and compete.
What has been your biggest challenge in the sport?
The mental challenge is the biggest where I try not to compare myself or doubt myself especially when I am competing against nationally ranked athletes.
What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I want to compete in the Olympics and win a state or national title.
What do you hope to achieve the rest of the season and at big invitationals?
I just hope to stay healthy and injury free throughout the season, place higher at big invitationals, and continue to have fun.
Walk us through a race for you (from pre race until post race).
For my pre race, I have to get focused by listening to music. I listen to music before I go to warmup for my race because it gets me in competition mode. I always try to watch what I eat especially in the days before a meet and during the season. In my warmup, I like to do fast-twitch exercises and get my blood pumping. I have different warmups and focus points for the 100, 200, and 400. Once the race is over I start jogging to get rid of lactic acid. Then I go back to the tent, foam roll, and eat to regain my energy. Then I listen to more music.
What goes through your mind?
In the 100, I think about working my arms hard. For the 200, I think about working the curve and finishing strong. In the 400, I think about running my own race, pacing and breathing techniques.
Do you prefer one over the other?
I prefer the 100 because it's over quickly.
Do you play other sports? How does track help you with other sports and vice versa?
I do not play any other sports. I played PowderPuff football for the past two years during Spirit Week and I loved PowderPuff, except for the cold.
How do you look at being top-ranked in the state?
It's definitely honor. Again, I have not always been a 100m runner. I have been blessed to have so many people believe in me including all of my coaches, my parents, teachers, and family and friends so this helps a lot when people say they believe in me that I can do it.
I started training around September so that I could compete in my first indoor track meets.
On the Hillcrest team, we joke and laugh a lot and it is a very fun environment. On the other side, when it is track meet day, we are extremely serious. My teammates cheer for each other and we push each other always, especially at practice.
As a team we would like to stay healthy. We would like to win Greenville County and our region, which would hopefully set us up to win a state title.
From my teammates I have learned to let loose and have fun. My coaches have taught that everything comes with patience and trust. The sport has taught me anything is possible no matter who you are or where you are from.
I would like to see track be more like football and basketball in its exposure, school support, and the way it's broadcasted.
I would like to play football, maybe for a big college team of female football because I want to tackle and get touchdowns.
