We first met up with Claremont High junior Kori Carter last summer at the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals held at Ohio State. The petite runner took second in the 400 meter hurdles, qualifying for the Junior World Team heading for Poland.
Kori also placed 7th in the 100 meter hurdles at the same competition. She was the 300 meter hurdles California State Champion in 2008 and placed 4th at state in the 100 hurdles. She was also the CIF Champion in the 100 hurdles her freshman and sophomore year and the 300 hurdles champion her sophomore year.
We look forward to seeing what this bright young talent will do in the next two track seasons!
PR's
100h - 13.89 CIF Finals 2008
300h- 41.28 California State Meet 2008
400h- 60.26 USA Junior Outdoor Nationals 2008
Calrunners: Kori, it's been almost a year since your phenomenal race at the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals in Ohio last summer. So we have a few questions for you.............like......... how long have you been running and when did you first get involved in Track and Field?
Kori Carter: I've been running since 7th grade and hurdling since 8th grade. I started with the Southern California Cheetahs Track Club.
Calrunners: How is your training going and what is a typical training week like for you?
Kori Carter: Training is going great! I'm just trying to prepare for the upcoming season. Typically, I do interval workouts Mondays and Wednesdays, then I work on hurdle technique Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays, Fridays are usually light easy days. I have also started weight training this year.
Calrunners: What is your favorite workout?
Kori Carter: My favorite workout is this one my old coach called "The Gingerbread Man". Its a workout for the 300h; I train with another hurdler and I go when the other hurdler hits the 2nd hurdle. Its really fun because it brings a competitive atmosphere to practice and I love to chase people when I run.
Calrunners: What are your goals for the upcoming track season?
Kori Carter: I actually have a long list of goals that I gave to my coaches, ranging from better technique, times I want to get, and meets I want to win at. But my major goals are to win both the 300h and 100h at State, break 40. in the 300h and qualify for the Junior Team.
(Photo right: Kori Carter, 400 meter hurdles at the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals.)
Calrunners: How to you prepare yourself mentally for a race and do you have any superstitions?
Kori Carter: I always pray before the race, usually with the other hurdlers and I have my iPod during my warm up. I don't really have any superstitions, but I can get really upset if someone moves my hurdles.
Calrunners: What message would you tell younger runners who aspire to be at the best they can be?
Kori Carter: I would tell them to realize that God has given you a gift, but it is up to you to perfect it. Make "can't" a four letter word in your vocabulary because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Calrunners: If you had to attribute your success to one thing, what would that be?
Kori Carter: My success is a blessing from God. Not only has he given me a talent and a passion for hurdling, he has surrounded me with great coaches, a supportive family and amazing teammates and friends.
Calrunners: You appear to be a person of great faith. How important is your faith in your sport?
Kori Carter: For me faith is really important in sports especially in track which is basically individual (excluding relays) so its calming to feel as though you're not alone. I am blessed because I have been protected by God from injury and given the opportunity and skills to pursue my passion and test my boundaries physically. I know that nothing I have accomplished I have done on my own so I feel as though it is necessary to acknowledge God in all that I do. Hurdling for me is a chance to glorify the Lord with the gift he has given me.
Calrunners: Do you have any role models or mentors in track and field or cross country?
Kori Carter: I love Allison Felix! I think she has such a positive attitude and is someone that has brought a lot of hope to a sport that has been sort of marred by the use of steroids. I also look up to Renaldo Nehemiah as probably the greatest hurdler ever; his technique is just so beautiful.
Calrunners: What does your season look like? When is your first race and will you be competing in any out of state track meets during the season or post season.
Kori Carter: My first race was actually yesterday. I hope to compete at Penn during the season and post season I will be going to Michigan to try to qualify for the Youth National Team.
Calrunners: Most Feared opponent or Person you look forward to running against.
Kori Carter: I really look forward to running against Turquoise Thompson, she's a great hurdler and we've never gone head to head. I think that given the competiton in California, like Erica Noell and Angelica Weaver, we will push each other to challenge LaShinda Demus' record.
Calrunners: Most of us only know you as a runner. What is one thing you would like us to know about you outside of running.
Kori Carter: When I grow up I want to be a surgeon. I think its a career that's a lot like hurdling, its full of adrenaline, your under pressure, and it also forces you to strive for greatness.
Quick Six:
Favorite pre-race Meal
Pineapple, Bagels, Strawberries, and this Pasta my Mom makes for me.
Favorite race
The 300h at Arcadia last year was probably one of my best races. It was really intense under lights and it came down to the last hurdle between me and London Finley.
Favorite Track Event
And event with hurdles.
Favorite TV Show
Scrubs, House (or any other doctor show)
