Senior Luke Gunn is one of the top runners on the perenially successful Florida State track and field team. Gunn, an All-American who won the 2008 East Regional title in the steeplechase, is poised to make a run through next week's NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. He took a few minutes to chat with theACC.com about his running career and expectations for the NCAA Championships.

When did you get into track and field?
I was about 12 or 13 years old in my second year of high school back in England. I ran (in) a cross country league around my school and went to a local race. I started off in the back of the field, moved through and finished in the top five. I kept up with my local club in England and it kicked off from there.

Why did you choose to run the steeplechase event specifically?
I ran the 800 and 1,500 up until about 16 years of age. I had a friend who did the steeplechase quite successfully. After practice, I would go play around and do the hurdles and found that I was pretty good at it. I threw myself into a local race and ran a national qualifier back at home. In that first year, I ran a national championship for my age.

Can you describe what the steeplechase event entails for those who may not be familiar?
Lots and lots of pain! (laughs) Imagine how hard a two-mile race is on its own and then throw in some barriers and a couple of water pits. It's very tough on the body. After my first year, I got injured because of the unique factor of landing off a water jump. I love it, (though). It's different than any other track race where you can go along without putting much in your legs and then sprint to the end. In the steeplechase you can't do that. It hurts 100% whether you go slow or fast because of the hurdles and the nature of the event.

What other teams have you competed on leading up to your college career?
There's a big club system back in England that's been around for awhile. I ran for them and did a couple of years at a university at home before coming out here. I ran spots for them, but mainly club races.

Did you play any other sports when you were growing up?
I played soccer and was pretty good at it, but not nearly as good as I was at running. I did martial arts until I was about 17, which a lot of coaches have attributed to my flexibility on the hurdles. I was good at most sports I tried, but didn't excel in any until I found distance running.

What is the best advice you have received from a coach?
To look at the long-term big picture. When I started out, I was always (finishing) in the middle of the field, never imagined that I'd be up among the best in the nation. I was lucky to have two very good coaches at home that impressed on me the long-term development factor of the sport. I definitely impress that on people I meet today because it's not like I jumped in right at the top, it's a long process.

Who is your most influential role model?
There are a lot of people around today that I admire. I grew up learning about the Olympians from Britain who dominated in the mid-1980s, so I definitely take a lot of inspiration from them.

What is your most memorable moment in sports, either as an athlete or as a sports fan?
I've been lucky to watch some great races in person, but the greatest feeling was when I won the national high school championship at home (when I was 16). I've won bigger events since, but my friends and family were there and it was the first big (race) I won. That will always stay with me.

What is your greatest accomplishment as an athlete?
I made the Commonwealth Games in England, which was my senior debut. That was probably the pinnacle of my career so far. I also came in fourth at the World Student (Games) in 2005. Those are probably my best achievements, but the national high school championship is the one that always vividly sticks with me.

What does it mean to you to have been named an All-American during your career at Florida State?
It was great. I was a junior transfer and it was my first year here. To obtain All-American accolades in the first year was a great achievement for me and I hope it continues.

What are your thoughts heading into the NCAA Championships, especially after winning the East Regional title?
I'm very positive, very confident. This is the position you wish to be in all year when you train - to be going into the national championship as the leader with all eyes on you. I can't wait to get out there and get the heats out of the way and see if I get in the final.

Why did you choose to attend Florida State?
To be honest, in England there's not great coverage of the NCAA sports, so I started looking at America. There's a couple of English guys here already, so I spoke to them when I started looking and asked them what their experience was. It sounded great so I came out here on a recruiting trip. I was blown away by the facilities and the great weather that we don't get at home! (laughs)

Can you talk about your transition to life in the States?
I was fortunate to come out here with a very good friend of mine. It softened the blow of going to a foreign country. I knew people here already who took me under their wing. It's a big adjustment. I hadn't lived at home for a good two or three years because I was away at university, so (that part) wasn't as much a shock. Obviously I had to get used to a different coach - that takes a lot of adjustment because the way he does things is pretty strict. It took a bit of adjusting but I was lucky to have friends to soften the blow.

Do you have plans yet for after you graduate?
Not yet. I'll be here for at least another year. I'll probably go home or my girlfriend will kill me! (laughs) I may pursue a career in teaching, but my education is not over yet.

Luke Gunn and the Seminoles head to Des Moines, Iowa, next week for the 2008 NCAA Track & Field Championships. The national meet will be held at Drake University from June 11-14.