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Marshall looks forward to the long jump and 100m hurdles at the regional meet |
1. You are just coming off of a third place finish in the long jump (20-10.50) and eighth place in the 100 meter hurdles (14.50) at the Big East Outdoor Championships. How do you feel heading into the NCAA East Regional Championships?
As far as long jump goes I'm looking forward to jumping farther but for the hurdles I have to practice hard leading up to NCAA's so that I will have a smooth run.
2. As a 2002 USATF Junior National All-American in long jump, what have you worked on the most this season to establish yourself as one of the better jumpers in the country?
I have been working on myself, meaning I had to find out what techniques work best for me because then I am able to jump farther.
3. Also the 2001 New Jersey State High School Champion in long jump and triple jump, what made you decide that Rutgers University was the right place for you?
Scholarship opportunities was my first priority, next was whether or not I would be comfortable with the coaches, since both of those requirements were met here, I chose Rutgers.
4. What athletes or role models do you look up to for any kind of support or advice for your events?
Gail Devers because of her height for hurdles. I pray about how I can better my jumps, what I'm doing wrong, and what I need to do to get better in hurdles, and that helps a lot. You can't always know everything your doing wrong, so I ask God to let me know what my coach and I are skipping.
5. How much do the sprinting events when you compete and train help you in relation to the jumping events?
Since speed is an important factor in long jump it helps me jump
further. Less speed means less explosive off the board which means
a smaller jump.
6. What are you currently pursuing your degree in and what would you like to do once your collegiate career is over?
Computer Science and I hope to find a job in that area then sing with my sisters, or which ever comes first.
7. When stepping on the runway every weekend, how do you stay focused to jump your best every time?
I know I have specific areas I have to work on, so I concentrate on those. When that is corrected, my jumps get better.
8. With any event, it takes a several hours every day to get in a full practice to prepare yourself for the next day. Describe a typical training day for you for all events.
Monday's I do hurdles and an intense running workout and Tuesday
is long jump and weightlifting.
9. Looking back on your high school career, how much different is there in coaching for you, if any, now at the collegiate level?
My college coach expects me to give him feedback as far as what works and what does not whereas in high school I didn't pay such close attention to my jumps so I'd basically run as fast as I can and jump. I've learned to be a student of my events now.
10. How important is it for jumpers to realize the importance if plyometric activities and Olympic lifts to place them into a week of practice?
The importance of this is to make the muscles move the way they
will during the event. By using this method, it strengthens the
muscles used in the event and causes the jumper to a better performance.
11. What do you enjoy the most about being a student-athlete at a major university?
Being able to relax my mind in practice, because I don't have to think about my work while practicing, and being around a positive group that is doing the same thing as me. We are able give each other pointers about what classes to take and when to take them.