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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Blink and She’s Gone
Central Indiana, IN
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Candyce McGrone is well accomplished, leading the Warren Central girls track team to consecutive state championships as a sophomore and junior with several individual sprint and team relay titles. Yet as HSSTM’s Brian Moore finds out, despite her blazing speed and being the No. 1 sprinter in the country, McGrone is a bottle of nerves before the gun goes off.
By Brian Moore
Moore: You’re the defending state champion in the 100-meter dash (11.97 seconds) and two-time defending state champion in the 200-meter dash. People say that sprinting is not about defeating other runners; it’s about racing and beating the clock. What’s your mindset?
McGrone: I don’t think about running against anybody else. It’s all about the time and beating the clock.
Moore: In those moments before a race, when you’re in the blocks, what’s going through your mind?
McGrone: (Smiles) I’m nervous. I’m thinking about not jumping the gun and getting a false start, which has happened before during my sophomore season. It felt like I was in the block for like two minutes.
Moore: But you are also the No. 1 ranked sprinter in the country for the 100. That has to be a great feeling. Do you ever just look around and say, “I’m faster than you and you and you…”?
McGrone: (Laughs). It’s only hit me once – when I found out I was ranked No. 1. I just thought, “All that hard work paid off.”
Moore: You’ve been a key member of title-winning relay teams (the 400 meter relay in 2006 and ’07, the 1600 meter relay in 2006) here at Warren as well. It’s safe to say repeating as champion in your main events, as well as another team state title, are the focus as your enter this season. As a senior, how do you maintain your motivation after experiencing success early on in your high school career?
McGrone: I want more than just a state championship. I want to go to Olympic trials and make the national team so I can travel and compete all around the world. That really drives me. That, and breaking the state record in the 100.
Moore: Has your coach [James Taylor] talked to you and your teammates about the reality and possibility of winning a third consecutive team title?
McGrone: Oh, yeah, we’ve talked about it. Our team motto is “It’s all about business” this year.
Moore: You mentioned the national team – you ran at the USA Track & Field Junior Nationals last June, finishing fourth in the 100 after putting up an 11.29 wind-aided effort in the first heat. What was that experience like?
McGrone: I was nervous. That was my first experience on a national level, and in the 100 finals, I was afraid to win for some reason. I can’t explain it. I started out running fast and I just slowed down. I was really upset after that race. I don’t like to lose.
Moore: So, do you feel like when you go to nationals again this summer that you’ll approach it differently?
McGrone: I’ll go in knowing this time what I have to do to win. In the heat where I ran 11.29, I came out of the block slow and had to catch up, but my times were dropping throughout the end of last year [at state and nationals].
Moore: Also at Junior Nationals last year, you ran a personal-best 23.24 in the 200. As a state champion in multiple events, individual and relay, as well as your experience at nationals, what is it about big events that seem to bring out the best performances in you?
McGrone: I just get excited for those events because there’s always a big crowd there, watching you, and you want to show them you have what it takes.
Moore: You mentioned how good your times have been. You went from the 11.97 to the 11.29 (wind aided) between state finals and nationals. What’s your training like? Obviously, sprinters are athletes that have some natural speed and ability, but you’ve got to work on the finer points to cut your time down and improve, right?
McGrone: I just work on my form and my start. My form was bad before, but I started to learn more about running and it helped. As for your start, if you can come out of the blocks quick enough, you’re already out in front and you don’t have to worry about others catching you. It seems like I have to kick it in near the finish line – I get quicker as a race goes on and usually finish strong.
Moore: This fall, you’re headed to Florida State University. What was the recruiting process like for you? What helped aid your decision to choose FSU?
McGrone: It was more of an educational decision – they have a great broadcasting program there and I really want to get into that. But I also want to help put the women’s track team back on the map and contribute to the tradition. I really meshed with the coach, Jackie Richards, and it made me comfortable in the decision.
Moore: Be honest though, as much as I’m sure you love Indiana weather, how much are you looking forward to running in a warmer climate next year?
McGrone: I can’t wait, I’m excited. I’m really going to miss my family and their support, especially my mom, but I don’t like cold weather – that’s why I chose Florida!
BREAKOUT BOX:
Get To Know Candyce McGrone
Pre-meet meal? Subway
Favorite event? 100 meter dash
What do you enjoy more: relays or individual events? I like them both equally!
Best moment in track? When I was a sophomore and we won the 4 x 400 in a photo finish over Ben Davis and North Central that took five minutes to determine.
Favorite track to run on? IUPUI – it’s a really fast track.
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