Rising junior Lynna Irby of Pike High School, Indiana capped off her amazing 2015 season with a Gold and Silver Medal at the World Youth Championships. In the 400m, Irby not only ran a PR by over a second, but in the process she ran U.S No.1 51.79 to earn herself a silver medal. Her racing didn't end there. On the last day of competition, she ran the second leg of the winning Mixed 4x400m relay, splitting 53.3 to open up a gap. Her success on the National level is something that is a product of her state level success . At both the 2014 and 2015 IHSAA state meet, Irby pulled off impressive triples, winning the 100m, 200m, and 400m.
MileSplit: You came second in the 100m at the World
Youth Trials. What made you decide to focus on the 400m rather than doing the
double?
Lynna Irby: We found out that the
400m semifinals and all rounds of the 100m dash were on the same day, so
bouncing back and forth would have been difficult. I made the decision to go
with the 400m because I thought the outcome would be better.
How did your experiences at this
international meet differ from meets within the United States?
It was different from US meets because I had to run at
night and my races are usually during the day.
In the semis, you ran 52.77 which was
.35 seconds off the state record. Heading into the finals, was that record
something you were chasing?
I actually didn't even
know what the state record was, all I knew was I had a pretty good chance of
making the podium and having another PR.
You ran another PR (51.79) in the finals to
grab silver and end the season as U.S No.1. What did this accomplishment
mean to you?
This accomplishment means to me that anything is possible
and that all my training was heading in the right direction. I felt honored to
be able to have USA across my chest and represent such a great country.
The Team USA Mixed 4x400m relay of Keshun Reed, Lynna Irby, Sammy Watson and Norman Grimes talk to the press after winning the race.
On Sunday you ran the second leg on the
mixed 4x4 and put a gap on the field. Describe
what was like competing with and against guys.
It was a different, fun experience that I will never forget. I know that in usual circumstances, guys are faster than girls, but my teammate
put me in a good position to allow me to open the gap.
Moving forward, has this trip altered any goals you may have had?
It hasn't altered any goals, but it has given me a new
positive perspective for my track career. Moving forward, I have more confidence
and motivation to work even harder and better.
Is there anything you took away from the
World Youth Trip that will help you next year in competition?
I learned to believe in myself and not to get so worked up
because my "body already knows how to run," one of the trainers, Alex, told me. Also, the sports therapist told me not to think about what other
competitors are doing because I know what I need to do in order to perform
well.
Describe
your World Youth Trip in one word:
Blessing.
