Like the weather in Chicago, Cougar Nation has been crazy busy with spring season underway. From a lot of cancellations to little peaks into what spring could be like, things have not been going according to plan.
However, the one sport that always seems to participate in any type of weather is track and field.
When I was a track athlete, it was pretty rare when a meet had to be cancelled. The one time a meet was cancelled was during my senior year, and it was because the track was underwater.
The moral of the story is unless the track is underwater, the meet will not be cancelled. Someone that knows that all too well is track runner Deandra Stokes.
Stokes is a junior at Saint Xavier University studying Graphic Design.
Stokes is a local girl hailing from Chicago, Illinois. Before attending Saint Xavier, she ran track for four years at Thornwood High School.
A highlight for Stokes this season is setting a personal record for the mile with a time of 5:37.
When I sat down with Stokes, we talked about her career as a track athlete and what she expects out of herself for the rest of her season along with her senior year. Take a look to see what this Cougar had to say!
When did you start competing in track and field?
I started competing when I was in sixth grade. So about 10 years ago.
Who was your role model growing up and why?
My role model was Sanya Richards Ross. She’s a phenomenal athlete who I always looked forward to watching run in the Olympics.
What other sports did you participate in besides track?
I played volleyball, danced competitively, and did tae-kwon-do.
What made you decide on coming to Saint Xavier University?
I absolutely loved the campus. It felt like home to me. My coach and teammates were very welcoming, and receiving so many scholarships made me definitely want to come here.
I know usually athletes competing at collegiate level of track and field, most of them are cross country athletes as well. Do you also run cross country at SXU?
Yes.
What are the events you compete in?
800, mile, 3k, 4×800, and 4×400.
Go through your practice schedule with me. What is your main focus during this time?
Every other day I warm up a mile, do drills, the workout, and then cool down a mile. During the warmup, I mentally prepare myself for whatever hard workout I am told I have for the day and after the workout is over, I can relax. I mainly focus on running the times at the correct pace I am given. The day before or after I just do mileage with my teammates.
What is the most memorable meet you have been a part of?
I have two most memorable meets that I have been a part of. One was when I was about to be a senior in high school. During the summer going into my senior year of high school, I competed in a meet called the Illinois Sprint Spectacular and it is an annual meet for high schoolers to come out and set records. I competed in the 800 and mile. I raced the 800 and came in second, but when I raced the mile, I came in first and set a record of 5:50. I was very proud because I had taken the record from a girl who kept it for a few years.
The other was last year during my sophomore year of outdoor track here at SXU. I really wanted to break five minutes in the 1500. That day I did by two seconds and I couldn’t have been more proud.
What do you want to accomplish in track and field either by the end of this season or next season?
To just get healthy and actually compete because I’ve been struggling with a knee injury. If I can compete then I will definitely want to run close to my last year time in the 1500 of 4:58.
What do you hope to do with your degree after you graduate from Saint Xavier?
I will be working for a company, designing different things of their interest. A few years of experience with them I will hopefully start my own business of designing/screen-printing posters, ads, t-shirts, and other fabrics.
What is something you have to have with you at all times?
Definitely my phone. Especially when I run so I can feel safe in case of an emergency.
If you were a Superhero, what would your power be and why?
Superspeed. I’m always running late and I know with superspeed, I wouldn’t have that problem. I would have picked to fly too, but I am too afraid of heights.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to me Deandra! Hope to have you back on the track soon!
Christine Manika
Sports Columnist