SCISA Championships: Prescott Jefferson Interview


Name: Prescott Jefferson
Personal bests: 100: 11.13, 200: 22.61, 400: 53.94, Long jump: 19-3
Academic interests: I would like to pursue the medical field, and pursue Sports Medicine. 
Hobbies: I love to be outdoors, and play Fortnite. 
Favorite quote: Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

How did you get involved in the sport?
When I was in the seven grade when our Head Coach, Thomas Fisher, asked me if I would be interested in track. I wasn't sure, but I fell in love with it as soon as my first practice ended.

Tell us about your thoughts on this season so far?
So far, I've had a great season! I'm excited to see what else God has in store for me as I continue through high school.

How do you look at being one of the
top-ranked SCISA athletes?
It's a blessing to have the coaching staff that we have. I've learned to always be humble, and to never be complacent. To be one of the top athletes in SCISA is truly a blessing.

How are you feeling the week of the SCISA Championships?
I'm a bit nervous, but that's normal for me. We have a chance at winning state this year so there's more pressure than the past few years. Be that as it may, I'm ready to get on the track and compete against the other athletes there. 

What is it like for you to be able to compete in public school meets and place?
First let me say that it was an honor to be able to compete in the public school meets. It gives me an opportunity to meet and run against some of the top ranked athletes in the state. To have placed in those meets........well that's a feeling that words cannot explain.

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 going into this season were to run a low 11 in the 100, and to break 23 in the 200. My main goal this year though is to break 11 in the 100.

What's your favorite event and why?
My favorite event in track is the 200 meter dash. It's an amazing rush running around the curve!

Do you have a specific motivation?
Before the race, I usually like to listen to music. Music usually helps me focus on my surroundings and think about what I have to do.

What has been your biggest challenge in the sport?
My biggest challenge for me was my hamstring strain. I wasn't able to practice for a while, and I was only allowed to participate in one event at the Wilson Hall meet. For me, it was hard not to be out on the track competing with my teammates.

Do you have any post season meet plans?
I've had some coaches come up to me and talk to me about running AAU, but I'm still deciding on whether I'm going to run this summer or not.

Walk us through a race for you (from pre race until post race).
For pre race, I usually like to do some stretches on the backstretch, and clear my mind. I like to visualize myself running the race. After the race I usually talk to one of my coaches and get advice from them on what I did well, and what I could've done better on.

What goes through your mind?
I like to pay attention to detail. So for me, I'm mainly focused on my start. I visualize myself having a good start and getting in front of everyone by the time I hit 20 meters.

Do you play other sports? How does track help you with other sports and vice versa?
Track has taught me that you not only do sports for yourself, but you do it as a team. So during football in my mind I know I'm playing for the team, and not myself. During track season, football has also helped me with my workouts. Before I start track, I go to our football workouts where we get a quick lift in.

Do you prefer one over the other?
It switches depending on what season I'm in. If it's football season I prefer football, and if it's track season I prefer track.

How and when did you start training for track and field this season?
I usually start doing workouts for track before the season starts. Usually in November, December, and early January. Then we officially started our season on January 22.

What do you enjoy the most about the Ben Lippen team?
There are so many awesome things to say about the Ben Lippen Team. Our positive attitude is just one of the many things I love about our team. If you've ever been to one of our meets, you can't help but notice that almost everyone (parents included) is cheering each other on. If any of us have a bad race, you will see us lifting each other up.

What do you feel you have learned from your coaches, teammates and the sport?
Throughout this season, our coaches have emphasized that God is always in control when we're running. My teammates have taught me that I'm competing for the team and not myself. If I win, then the team wins. The sport of track has taught me that even though we run alone and make our own PR times that we are still one team.

What would like to see happen in the future?
I would love to see track get more recognition. If Track got the same recognition as Football that would be awesome.

If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
If there was one thing I could do it would be able to run in the Olympics. Running in the Olympics is like a dream to every track runner.