Matt Baum (flrunners.com): Lets start things off with the beginning of the season. I heard you were having some trouble with an injury. Can you tell
us a little about that?
Courtney Hall: Yes. Well, I started training for cross a little late because of nationals for track. I took two weeks off, and my first week back was at UF cross country camp. I Think I pushed it a little too hard. We think what happened was that I irritated my knee doing stadium steps. They found later that one leg was over a half inch longer than the other and the stadium steps could have really messed it up. I didn't tear anything, but my knee was out of place and bruised underneith. I didn't run all summer.
MB: What'd you do to get healthy again?
CH: Well, that part was very hard because you can't do much with a hurt knee. I couldn't aqua jog because it was the motion that was killing me. I rode my bike a lot at practice and even at running camp but the best thing I probably did was the olyptical machine. It was hard because I have always not liked cross training, but I worked at the YMCA so I didn't have many excuses to not be able to go work out.
MB: It seems like you've been coming back pretty strong. Things must be going well now, huh?
CH:Yes I suppose. I have had the best workouts all season, but I can't seem to apply myself to the races. I work myself so hard during the week and am really tired on race day. With the extra rest before State I should feel better. I am starting to appriciate the summer base training I had in the past, because I would be a lot stronger now. I have just had a rough time mentally this year. Injuries take you down hard physically and mentally. I just have to forget everything and run hard for my team and that will make us all run our best.
MB: I'm sure you're still aiming high for State. Do you have any goals for yourself?
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Personal Stats Birthdate: 6/16/85 Height: 5'7 Weight: 110 |
MB: Is a top 10 finish out of the question? [Individually]
CH: I certainly don't think so. With the way I have been running in practice I should definently. Kelly, Mallory and I working together should all be in the top 10. It is definitely possible for us all to be, in any order.
MB: Do you plan on extending your cross country season and making the trip to North Carolina for Footlocker South?
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Favorite Food: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Favorite TV Show: Forensic Files Favorite Runner: Brian Doyle Interesting Fact: Bishop Kenny Invite 200 meter champion and 3rd in the 100 meter |
MB: Last week you commited to UGA. What made you decide to become a Georgia Bulldog?
CH: Oh, everything. I absolutley loved it! I loved everyone from the team and coaches, to the lady at the Chick-Fil-A on campus that took my order. It is a beautiful town. I love the location and the excellant running trails. I have many family members who went there and who live in the area. The school is great itself and what they have to offer for athletes and even students is amazing. They say when you go to a certain college you will just know that it is the one and that is what happened to me. I am very excited and can't wait to go there next year.
MB: So, what'd you order at Chick-Fil-A?
CH: #5- 12 Pack [Laughs]
MB: Oh, yeah! That's what I usually get, but I should be careful or else I'll end up looking like Joe McKinney! He kills those 12 packs!
CH: [Laughs] Mondays and Wednesdays in Jacksonville $6 at night for all you can eat nuggets!
MB: Well, now we all know where we can find Joe on Mondays and Wednesdays...
CH: The two Chick-Fil-A's on campus is really what sold me! [Laughs] Just kidding...
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Personal Records 400: 60 800: 2:17 1,600: 4:58 3 mile: 18:15 5,000: 18:50 |
MB: What other colleges were you looking at?
CH: Well, I visited Florida and actually thought I was going there. It is great there too but it seemed like the more comfortable thing to do. I kind of wanted to get away a little bit but not too far. I know so many people that go to Florida. Everytime I went there I saw someone I knew no matter where I was. It would have just hung out with my old friends. That really isn't my main reason for not going there, but it was just a more comfortable place to go. I made a list of the pros and cons of both of the schools and rated each important thing from 1 to 5. It was close but really not a hard descision. I loved Georgia that much.
We went to the book store and the family got decked out in Georgia stuff. My family has always been Georgia football fans and my dad said that he was picking out things that he wouldn't mind having if I didn't go there.
MB: You had a pretty solid track season last spring. Are you looking foward to hitting the track one last time as a high schooler?
CH: Oh yes! I love track. I am not taking a break after cross country season since I missed all summer, so I will have a lot of track training.
I hope to do some indoor meets this year and maybe some of the larger nation wide meets. We will see. I kind of felt like I ran out of time last year when I was really starting to do well in the mile, so I hope to PR big this year and go after the state meet record.
MB: Is the 1,600 your favorite event?
CH: Well, I like it because I do well in it, but I will always wish I could run a faster 400.
MB: What's your PR in the 400?
CH: I ran a 60 freshman year and I haven't run any faster. It breaks my heart. I would think I would be faster by now.
MB: Are you looking to hit any certain times this track season?
CH: If I broke 60 in the 400, 2:15 in the 800 (open), 4:50 in the 1600 and 11:00 in the 3200 I would have a perfect season.
MB: Alright, last question. From what I've seen and heard, you're quite infatuated with SpongeBob Squarepants. Can you explain this? How'd it get started?
CH: [Laughs] I guess it all began with an old teammate, Tripp Southerland. He taught me everything I know. I made a SpongeBob design for our t-shirts, but my coach wouldn't use it. Needless to say our team was very disappointed. I heard Tripp talking about it during the summer one time and I watched it one morning. From then on I was hooked. I watched it 3 times a day all summer. I am pretty busy now, but I still have a lot of SpongeBob stuff. I have 2 books and a little stuffed SpongeBob in my car. I always seem to get SpongeBob gifts from people. I have the weirdest things. When Ryder Leary left for college I gave him my very first SpongeBob. He knew how much it meant to me and it is in his dorm room. I also gave him a SpongeBob sponge.
MB: Alright, Courtney, that's it for the interview. Thanks a bunch and good luck to you in the post season...And may SpongeBob be with you.
CH: Thank you Matty-Poo...I mean...Mr. Professional Matt