1) What other sports have you played aside from TF?
I played football my freshman and junior year in high school although I didn't continue because I just couldn't catch the ball. I had the speed, but just couldn't catch.
2) When and what led you to becoming a hurdler?
My freshman year, I tried out every event and made Varsity in Triple Jump, 400, 300 & 110 Hurdles. I lost to Torrey Akins (Heritage State Placer) my freshman year pretty bad and I always just wanted to get better to beat him.
3) What were your highlights during your freshmen and sophomore seasons?
My highlights from freshman and sophomore season were actually loosing pretty bad to Torrey Atkins in our dual meet against Heritage. I lost so bad and by so much that I watched him hurdle while I was hurdling. I know it sounds crazy but that's how I totally learned my form. I am more of a visual learner and he is the REAL REASON ON HOW I LEARNED SUCH GOOD FORM! Watching him always beating me. Me and my old teammate Galen Swearigen would practice so hard to improve our form so when it came time to go saddle up, we can tell him that we PR'd and that we are coming to beat you. Good times sir, good times.
4) Who were the older athletes that got your attention as a young athlete and help you establish good habits for the future?
One of my closest friends Galen, we would always practice and he taught me to have the mindset of a "Super Saiyan" (please look up Dragon Ball Z and learn what a super Saiyan is please) in other words "to always get the most out of practice instead of trying to get just through it." He honestly taught me to never accept being last, to lead the "pack" (Wolfpack as in group of runners during practice) in every workout, and always want to be the best.
5) Who are your coaches and how have they helped you get to your current level?
*Coach Ansley- Head Track & Field Coach
*Coach Neilson - Personal Hurdle Coach
*Coach Flores - Sprint coach
*Coach Weaver - Lq Hurdle Coach
(* means more important)
Coach Ansley is mostly the main reason for my success. If it wasn't for him always having my back, always vouching for me, always caring and advocating me in the right direction, always working me hard pushing me to my limits and trying to always see my full potential, I think I would be an average black man who had potential and just gave up in all hopes up and would be stuck in the valley forever flipping burgers. We call them out here "Nondesirables." I believe that would have been my future if it wasn't for him, if you want to be totally completely honest sir. Coach Neilson is my Personal Hurdle coach who has been to state before and college and knows what he's talking about. He has had me do some extremely crazy workouts to physically force me to better my form (which built muscle memory). I remember he made me run 10 x 300 with a 100 meter cool down rest in between each rep; just to make me not be afraid of running the 300 hurdles full speed. "If you can run 10 x 300 with hurdles, all under 46 seconds and below you should not be afraid of doing that race one time full speed; this workout I just gave you is way more intense than running it one time full speed." That's exactly what he told me. I will never forget that day because I remember asking to take a break and he said no and I cried. (He didn't know I was crying because I told him it's just hot and I'm tired). Coach Weaver and Flores are the two kick backed, relaxed coaches who helped me mentally from a kid perspective. They would make me feel entitled on some things due to my talents. Instead of running 5 x 400, I would have to run 3 but they will be timed. Or if I wanted to talk to a Coach about what happened during school, I go to them because Ansley and Neilson were and still are always strictly business. Not saying you can't laugh and have fun, but when it was time to work with them, IT WAS TIME TO WORK.
6) At what point during your high school career do you feel you made the jump to elite level? What race gave you the confidence that you can compete with the best hurdlers in the state?
In high school, I feel like I've jumped to the elite level, but college and Olympics ready?...no sir. I still have a lot to improve on. The 110s gave my confidence last season that I was actually good because I went to state. I always thought CIF was it for me but after the 2015 Masters, they told me I made it to State I had no idea I was that blessed and talented.
7) What does a typical week look like for you? How many days are you hurdling? What kind of workouts are you doing that you feel have helped you continue to improve your times this season?
Monday's: 4x8 group workout & late Hurdle Practice with Weaver (Every other week I would do two workouts in one day and other weeks I would just do the hurdle workout)
Tuesday's: 6th period ATHLETICS CONDITIONING SWIM & Late Night hurdle Practice with Weaver
Wednesday: Late night Practice with Neilson
Thursday: Dual meets
Friday: Cool down day maybe a 2 mile run
Saturday: Invitationals
I hurdle probably 3 times a week, Best workout for me is 500 repeats. It helps in the 400 which helps for my endurance in the 300 Hurdles which helps me mentally!!! 80% mental 20% physical. Always my way of thinking. I must be mentally ready before physically.
8) Favorite Invitational? Favorite event? Favorite opponent? Favorite workout? Favorite pre-meet song? Favorite team tradition? Favorite non Track activity?
My favorite invitational is Arcadia. My favorite race is the 110 hurdles but I love watching the 4x1sI wish I was quick, that's why. My favorite opponent is Joseph Anderson from Upland. We have only raced a few times but I like him because we would see each other at track meets and he would look at me weird. Literally I would say hi or be polite and he would just get all shy, kind of seemed like I always got him out of his comfort zone. I like him to also because he is competitive and young and very good, and I WANT TO BEAT HIM. ALL YEAR LONG WINNING ARCADIA OR MT SAC RELAYS OR PUTTING A A TOP 5 NATIONAL TIME IN TWO EVENTS WASN'T MY GOALS NOR ON MY CHECKLIST. ON MY CHECKLIST, ALL I HAVE ON THERE IS BEAT JOSEPH ANDERSON! LITERALLY. My favorite Pre-meet song is "I wonder by Chief Keef" My favorite non track activity is going on dates, go out and eat with my girlfriend or some friends then go catch a movie.
9) What do you feel has been your best race to date?
I feel like my best race this season was at Arcadia. Khalil Dorsey was right next to me who I ran against at State so I was ready and eager to race someone who can compete with me because in my conference or league I win by like 3 seconds and never have anyone to physically push me to my limits.
10) What races are you most looking forward to the rest of the season?
I am looking forward to the 110 Hurdle race @ State against Joseph Anderson sir
11) Have you made your college decision? If so, where will you be going next year? What led you to making that decision?
I will be attending Long Beach State next year. I chose them because they were one of the first schools to work with me and kept their word about working with me. I could tell they were so interested in me and I liked their team's energy (both athletes and coaches). It made me feel like I was accepted.
Thank you very much for your time Koty! AJC
