Catching Up with Jeremy Wariner
6/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
June 9, 2006
BaylorBears.com caught up with Baylor volunteer track & field coach Jeremy Wariner for a question and answer session Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif.
The former Baylor sprinter captured the gold medal in the 400 meters and the 4x400-meter relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, as well as the world championship in the 400 meters in 2005. During his collegiate career, Wariner won the 2004 NCAA indoor and outdoor championships in the 400 meters and the 4x400-meter relay and held the record in the indoor 400 at 45.39.
Besides physical ability, what do you think it takes to be an NCAA champion?
JW: Dedication, hard work and patience. You have to take everything one meet at a time and give everything you've got in practice, just like you would at a meet.
Does it make any difference to you that you were able to win the NCAA title in Austin as opposed to Sacramento?
JW: It doesn't make a difference, all that matters is that I won and Darold (Williamson) won here last year. We both worked hard for what we got.
How does it feel to be here as a spectator? Is it strange that this would be your senior season?
JW: I do think about it sometimes. If it was my last year, I would either try to double (win both the 200 and 400 meters) or go for the collegiate record in the 400. As far as being at the meet, besides coaching, I enjoy watching the athletes who are coming into their own and the ones still coming up.
What is the best piece of advice you give to the current Baylor athletes?
JW: Listen to your coach, whatever he tells you. Coach (Clyde) Hart and Coach (Todd) Harbour give great advice. Coach Hart has been around this sport a while, so he knows what it takes to win and Coach Harbour has been in the same position of competing at the highest level and can relate well to the athletes. I listened everyday to what Coach Hart was telling me, and that's the difference between being a pretty good athlete and being great.
How did the NCAA Championships prepare you for the Olympic Trials and Athens?
JW: Going through the rounds and how it's set up at the national championships, regionals and conference. There's great competition at the big meets, especially in the U.S., so it really prepared me for trials.
How do you feel this year compared to the last two?
JW: I've had a lot better training and I'm ahead of schedule. I'm a lot stronger, a lot faster and each 400 is getting better. I just want to keep it up for the whole season.
What's next for you? How are you preparing for USAs?
JW: Well, actually USAs is next, so I've been working on my strength, speed and endurance. Since there's no world championships this year, I'm going full throttle right now. I'll be going all-out to win in whatever event I choose (the 200 or the 400), then I'll go for the Golden League Jackpot.
What are your long-term goals? What would you like to accomplish that you haven't already?
JW: I would like to break the world record in the 400. I would also like to be consistently in the low 44s, high 43s and be dominant in the event, so everyone would know that I can't be beaten on my best day. I would like to repeat at the worlds and hopefully the next two or three Olympics. We'll see, I just take it one race at a time.
Compiled by assistant director of athletic media relations Russ Reneau.
