Ayla Smith set the school record in the 60m hurdles last weekend and she is still looking for more. The junior took time to talk with theACC.com about running against stiff competition, choosing Virginia and her expectations for the year.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
Quick Facts
Favorite Movie: Gladiator
Favorite Pre-race Music: Rap/Pop
Favorite Pre-race Meal: Turkey Sandwich
Favorite Place on Campus: Bodo's Bagels |
I am a complete germ-a-phobe. I won't share drinks with even my best friends without wiping the lid a thousand times.
When and how did you start running competitively?
I joined the track team my freshman year in high school. I did outdoor for my freshman and sophomore years and I started to take it more seriously my junior year and I quit swimming so I could do indoor track too. I did two seasons of track my junior and senior years.
Did you play any other sports in high school?
I did swimming my freshman and sophomore years. I played basketball my freshman year and I ran cross country my sophomore and junior years.
Did you run at any big (national) meets in high school?
I ran at Nationals my junior and senior year in high school. They were in Greensboro, N.C., and it was pretty fun. At my high school, we did 300m hurdles, but at Nationals we did 400m hurdles so it was kind of an adjustment. I didn't do too well my junior year, and my senior year I fell over the last hurdle. I was running well, so I was (disappointed). And my coaches from Virginia were there, so that was embarrassing. (laughs)
Last year I wanted to go to the Olympic Trials, but I ended up tearing my quad just before (the ACC Championship). I ran through it a few times, but I didn't get to run at Regionals because of my quad. My season was stopped short.
Why did you choose Virginia?
It is pretty close to home. I'm from Winchester, Va., which is two hours away, so that's nice. My sister goes here. It ranks first out of public universities, so it is really good academically. We have really good athletics. We had a really good 400m hurdler here, she was an All-American (Erin Crawford in 2006).
What do you do when you're not training?
I sleep. Sleep, sleep, sleep. I think that (sleep) is really important for training. It lets the muscles repair. I watch movies with my friends and I do homework. I have a lot of homework.
What do you want to do after college?
I am staying here for a fifth year to get my Master's Degree in exercise physiology. I am thinking about being an athletic trainer or strength and conditioning coach for a college, or maybe even being a track coach. I do want to stay in the sports (industry).
What is your biggest accomplishment away from athletics?
I was proud of last semester when I got a 3.8. That was my highest GPA ever, so I was proud of that. Last summer I volunteered with a physical therapist and worked with disabled children in aquatics. I was proud of that.
What is your most memorable moment in your running career?
The first time I broke 60 seconds in the 400m hurdles was one of the more memorable times. It is a milestone moment for a 400m hurdler. I'm not happy with where I am. I have some really high goals for myself this year and I think we're going to be better this year than we have in the past. I'm really excited. I want the 4x400 relay team to do better.
What is your favorite event?
The 60m hurdles is something I've just gotten into. I'm primarily a 400m hurdler; that is what I was recruited for. I'm just starting to do the short hurdles. I've always had to do them to train, but now I'm starting to come into my own on them. I don't really think the short hurdles are my event. They are a good time to train for the 400m hurdles, to work on my speed. The new coaches are trying to guide me towards the short hurdles to work on my speed, but the 400m hurdles are my event.
How does it feel to hold a school record?
It feels really good. I'm proud to be on top of the list, but like I said, I'm not complacent. I'm glad I've run this well early, but I want that time to come down a lot by the end of the season. The ACC is the most competitive conference in the nation when it comes to hurdling. That time will struggle to get into finals. Last year (that time) might have made the finals at the ACC Championship. I need that time to go down a lot if I'm going to help my team and score at ACC's. It is great to have the record, but it is definitely not the end point.
What is it about Virginia Tech's track that let's you get such good times? Last year you ran the 3rd fastest time in school history in the 55H, this year you set the school record in the 60H. (Virginia Tech hosts the 2009 ACC Indoor Track Championship)
Well, it is a really good track, but there is also really good competition. Two hurdlers that go to Virginia Tech - Queen Harrison and Kristi Castlin - are All-Americans in that event. They are really, really good. They will probably contend for a championship this year, as they did last year. The people that go there really drive you. It is an amazing atmosphere. The hurdlers that go there really drive you.
Who is your most influential role model?
My grandfather (Alson Smith, Jr.). He was a runner and went to the same high school (Handley) that I went to. He ran the 400m dash and was very fast. For running, I pull from that. He was a politician and a really hard worker. He helped everybody and everybody really liked him. I look to him because he was always in a good mood, and put everybody in a good mood. I think he had a really good attitude about life that I try to emulate.
What is the best advice you have ever received from a coach?
I've had a lot of good advice. I've had a lot of good coaches that had a lot of good things to say. I tend to over-think my races and over-think the competition and let myself get defeated before I hear the gun. I think that if someone is better than me, they're going to beat me - I think too much. My coaches tell me I need to trust my training and clear my mind, go do what I always do. I need to relax.
What are some of your individual goals for the season?
That is tough, because I'm not sure what (events) I'll be doing at ACC Indoor Championship. We've been thinking about the pentathlon. I've been long jumping and trying some things out. I'm not sure what I'm doing yet (at the ACC Championship), but I know I need to score there. I want to go on to NCAA's in indoor. I want our 4x400 to do really well.
In outdoor, I definitely want to be an All-American in the 400m hurdles. I'd like our 4x400 relay to make it to NCAA's. I'd like our team to place higher at ACC's, both indoor and outdoor, and I think we will, because we've been doing a lot better.
Smith and her teammates return to action on Friday, January 16 at the Hokie Invite in Blacksburg, Va.
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