Members of the Girls Track Relay Team Talk Winning State Championship

When the state track meet came to an end, the Sparkman 4×100 girls relay team were state champions. Sophomore Amanda Davis, Madesen Holman, Janae Hilliard and senior Ayanna Tolbert posted a 46.52 finish.

The Crimson Crier sat down with two member of the relay team to see how they felt about this achievement.

Janae Hilliard: 

CC: What was your key  to success in the state track? What new developed skills do you think really helped you?   

Hilliard: The key to success is trying new things that you might not like but will help you and just being on the track. New skills I’ve developed are cooperating, as in trying new workouts and drills to help me.

CC: How do you believe having a team and family and friends to support you help you in the toughest moments?  

Hilliard:  I thank my coaches, teammates and family more than words can explain. In the toughest moments during the season they helped calm down and not overthink my race and do my best.

CC: How did you feel when you received your medal? How did you reflect on all your hard work?

Hilliard: It felt like pressure was lifted off of my shoulders because I did what I had to do and did it well and made my coaches, teammates, and family proud. It showed that I worked very hard to stand on the podium and I outran hundreds of people to get there.

CC: When do you feel is the most important self-principle in track and field? How has that affected you?  

Hilliard: The most important self-discipline in track is consistent and dedication without those two the sport is going to be all over the place and inconsistent. Those have helped me greatly by learning and doing both of them.

CC: What do you expect to learn from this year at state and take with you next year? How do you believe this will challenge you?    

Hilliard: This year from state I learned that I need to train more because all of the races were close and if I put that work in I could be first. It will challenge me to work harder and focus on my phases during each race.

CC: How did the state championship make you feel?   

Hilliard: The state championship made me feel very happy and accomplished that all the hard work I did leading up to this point paid off.

CC: How did you feel about the 100-meter dash? 

Hilliard: My experience in the 100m dash was very full of emotions. I was nervous but I know if I did everything I was taught and didn’t tense up during the race I would be fine.

Senior Ayanna Tilbert:

CC: What was your key to success in the state track? What new developed skills do you think really helped you? 

Tilbert: Probably having more competition and being able to practice everyday.

CC: How do you believe having a team and family and friends to support you helps you in the toughest moments? 

Tilbert: I feel good about it because even if I’m down I’ll still have someone to lift me up

CC: How did you feel when you received your medal? How did you reflect on all your hard work? 

Tilbert:  I was happy I felt like it was earned having a good season overall.

CC: When do you feel is the most important self-principle in track and field? How has that affected you?

Tilbert:  You just have good self confidence and be able to build yourself up 

CC: What do you expect to learn from this year at state and take with you next year? How do you believe this will challenge you?  

Tilbert: Probably learn to be prepared for anything and make sure you’re always ready to run, be confident in yourself and your teammates. You can take it with you by learning from your teammates and showing people that you are able to do it.

CC: How did the state championship make you feel? 

Tilbert:  It made me feel good. I was really excited and we deserved the first place after working hard throughout the season.

CC: How did you feel about the 4×100?

Tilbert: I felt very confident we were a good team and we went out there and ran our race.