Last year Dentarius Locke transferred to Chamberlain and for him the new colors brought in a breakthrough year. By season's end he was one of the top sprinters in sprint-rich Florida with personal bests of 10.43 and 21.02. His post-season included a championship and runner-up at state, two seconds at Nike Outdoor Nationals, and two age group championships at AAU Junior Olympics.
Now as a University of Tennessee signee, Locke is looking forward to a great senior campaign. He has put in the work and has the desire for some lofty goals and expectations. But all indications are this young man is ready to make those dreams a reality.
JASON BYRNE (FLRUNNERS.COM): First of all, congratulations on signing with the very prestigious track program at the University of Tennessee. What other colleges were you considering and what made you finally decide to become a Volunteer?
DENTARIUS LOCKE: There were actually a few other schools. Kentucky, USC (TROJANS), USF and Clemson. I picked Tennessee because of the history of the program. The coach there (Coach Elliot) has done a very good job with previous athletes that went there. I also felt that it was a perfect place for me. Everybody on my dad side of my family lives in Knoxville. So I really felt comfortable there. I really think that being at UT will help me get to the professional level.
JB: You had a really great string of post season meets to end your season last year, starting at the state meet and running through Nike Outdoor, and AAU Junior Olympics. You can a couple of times in the 10.4s and a couple of times close to 21-flat... did you think much about a peak to your season? Was it your plan all along to peak kind of past the state meet in these post season meets or did the season just fall into place like that?
DL: To be honest, I kind of felt that last year would be a big year for me and I was so excited to be at a new school. I didn't know that I can go 21 flat by the end of the year. I thought that it would be very hard to run that. My coach contiued to tell me that I can run some unbelievable times in both 100 and 200 I just have to continue to work hard to get there. I really begin to work on things as the year went. My coach planned my season exactly to where I will peak at the correct time. I wanted to peak at very low times, but it also kind of surprised me that I hit some of the times I did for both the 100 and 200 and also the 400.
JB: You've got some strength to go along with your speed. I read that you had 47 speed in the 400, but you're probably best known as a 100 specialist. Do you think that your best event is the 100 or the 200?
DL: My favorite has really been the 100 for awhile. Now that I am a better runner than I use to be, I feel as if the 200 is my best event. It is not too long and not too short. I feel as if this is the race I have a little bit of time to catch to somebody if I make a little mistake. I still love the 100 of course. I just believe that the 200 is the event I feel most comfortable in.
JB: What do you do in the off-season to prepare for track?
DL: I really go to the weight room a lot. I just had great off season just recently. My freshman and sophomore year I did not have strong off-seasons. Now going to the weight room is very important now. I do a lot of running as well. I may take a break from running for a few weeks and then I get on the track three days out of the week.
JB: What kind of workouts and training are you doing now?
DL: Now the season has started, I am on the track a lot more than in the weight room. I am focusing on the 100 and 200 so the highest I run at practice is 300. Now it's all about hitting my times at practice. Three days out of the week will be a heavy day of running and the other days will be light days like block work or just working on curves.
JB: What are the big meets you are looking forward to this year?
DL: One meet I am really looking forward to is Nike Indoor Nationals (on) March 14 at Boston. That is going to be a big meet for me. I have only ran one indoor meet and this will be my second and the best around the nation will be there. Another meet I am looking forward (to) is Florida relays. That is a meet where all the top guys will be at. I think that being there will give me a taste of the state meet very early.
JB: What are the goals that you have this year and what are you shooting for time-wise?
DL: My goal this year is to win both 100 and 200 at state this year and be able to return to Nike Outdoor and win both 100 and 200 there as well. I believe last year was a good year for me but there is a lot to improve on. I am really trying to run a 10.25 and 20.5. Some people think that is hard to believe or it's not possible, but with the training I am doing, it is going to happen.
JB: What do you do like to do when you're NOT thinking about track & field?
DL: Other than running which is what I do a lot, I really like to talk or text girls a lot on the phone. I also like to watch football. I really like to follow basketball or football. I just love all sports really.
JB: Who are the people that you most admire? Or who has been most inspirational to you?
DL: The people that (I admire are) my parents and my coach. They really help me a lot with work on the track and off the track. My dad is the one who helps me with life lessons before I go out on my own. My mom is the one that explains that God is the only reason I am here and she is very right. My coach is the one who helps me stay focus on my classwork. He has really help me turn around in the classroom . These three people are the people that I admire the most. They are hard working people and they also are close to me and my closest friends. These people I can really just go to and talk to about anything that is on my mind.
JB: What will you miss most about Florida next year in Tennessee? (besides coaches, friends, family)
DL: I think that the thing I will miss the most is the heat! (laughs) I believe that I will get use to it being cold every day in Knoxville. I will do a lot of shopping for winter clothes this summer. I know I will be ok there though.
JB: Thanks, Dentarius! Good luck this season!
DL: Of course man! Anytime. Thanks for the interview. I appreciate it.