Q: Talk about your first encounter with sports...

A: My first encounter with sports was at my elementary school, Arthur Slade Regional Catholic School. They offered soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and track (although you couldn't run track until you were in sixth grade). I played soccer for nine years and basketball for eight years. I was such a tomboy, I even used to try to play football with the boys at recess! Since I was a skinny little thing, with lots of energy and speed, whatever sport I was playing I seemed to be running a lot, so my parents found these fun age group track meets in the summer for me to run in, beginning when I was seven. I think they were held in Annapolis, Maryland. I remember winning a lot of blue ribbons. I also took gymnastics, tennis, and horseback riding lessons.

Q: What led or motivated you to play?

A: I can't really pinpoint one thing that really made me want to play. My love for sports started at an early age; they always seemed to be a part of my life. I was an athletic kid, and very competitive, I loved to win. I relished being the first girl picked in gym class when we formed teams. I think I realized at a young age that I was naturally good at some things, and sports were one of them. My parents, especially my Dad were a big influence. In terms of track, by the time I was in eighth grade I started running summer track under the AAU and USATF organizations. After performing well, I realized that out of all the sports I played, I was the best at track; running just seemed to be a God-given talent. I decided that I would only pursue track in high school. In seventh grade, I started looking at what high school I would attend. The one that I was seriously looking at did not have a track team, so that year my father went over there and started a track team, just so that by the time I came, one would already be established!! Unfortunately, (or fortunately) I ended up going to McDonogh School instead.

Q: In your hometown, what was the sports culture like for girls?

A: Since I went to elementary/middle school in another town, I didn't know many people in my hometown of Severn. I think there were opportunities, but they were limited to certain sports. There was the Severn Athletic Club, where kids could play football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball, according to their age groups. My eighth grade year, some of my friends and I played in the 12-13 year old girls' soccer division. I guess the goal of the organization was to allow kids to play sports all year round, especially those who didn't have the chance to in their specific schools, although there were fees to pay. Growing up in the suburbs and attending private schools, I just assumed that everyone could play sports. It wasn't until I ran summer track for a Baltimore City team called Ed Waters Track and Field Alliance that I realized that not all kids, especially girls, had the advantages and opportunities to play any sport they wished. For African-American girls in the city it seemed that their only hope was in track or basketball. Even I didn't know about lacrosse and field hockey until I entered high school!

Q: How did you get to where you are today and what would you attribute that to?

A: Well first off, I had to have some kind of natural talent. I mean you can practice all you want, but you have to start off with some kind of athletic prowess. To that I can only thank God and some good genes! I also know that I have been very blessed with parents and a background that has given me the opportunities to pursue my dreams, especially my athletic ones, regardless of the cost. Also, dedication, drive, and support. As much as I loved sports there were days when I didn't want to practice, especially on those 90 degree summer afternoons!! I had to learn dedication from my parents who would sometimes have to supportively push me to practice. I had to first find my passion and my love for running before I could be dedicated and have that drive to continue to pursue excellence. I found that passion 10th grade when I developed a stress fracture in my shin. I couldn't run for half of the season. Before that track was just something I was good at, but when you are sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else, you really learn how much you care about something.

Q: What has playing sports done for you?

A: Sports are awesome, because they help produce qualities that are needed for the real world. Sports have taught me dedication, passion, humility, and competitiveness. Because of sports, I learned how to apply these lessons to my academic career and other extracurricular activities. Sports have instilled in me a sense of leadership, having been captain on my high school team for two years.Sports have also helped me interact with people, especially my teammates. I have learned how to support, be supported and empathize with other people. Although track is a very individual sport, there is nothing better than teamwork, and pursuing the same goal, like winning a championship. The bonds and the friendships that I have made while playing sports are unforgettable.

Q: At what point did you realize you wanted to go to an Ivy League school?

A: My college decision came down to the last minute! Fortunately, with my grades and athletic talents the choices seemed almost unlimited; however I narrowed the schools down to ones where I had been contacted by the coaches. I ended up only applying to four schools: Princeton, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, and Duke. Although I was accepted to all four, and promised athletic money from Wake Forest and possibly from Chapel Hill, I realized that I didn't want track to become a job. I didn't want that constant pressure and a scholarship looming over my head. As much as I love to run, I also love being involved in other activities, like singing and Christian fellowship, and academics will always come first. Not only was the track coach from Princeton very interested in me, I felt that Princeton would give me the best opportunity to be involved in an array of activities, while giving me a first rate education.

Q: Is there a certain athlete you admire and why?

A: I don't really have a favorite athlete. How do you choose when each person has his or her own special talents? I like all sports, and respect anyone who decides to pursue them professionally. I do admire athletes who have overcome something, whether it is a disease, death, disappointment, or discrimination. I had the chance to meet Gail Devers at the 2000 Indoor High School Nationals, and that was really nice. I really respect her as a runner and I admire her because she overcame her illness, Graves's disease, to become one of the best sprinters in the world. I also admire my dad. He has played sports all of his life and in College (Rowan University formerly Glassboro State) he was a Division III All-American in the 100 meters. He continues to push me to greatness, and is still athletically active, playing golf and running everyday.

Q: What is the significance of Title IX to you?

A: Just as Brown v. The Board of Education opened up educational opportunities to African-American students, for me, Title IX signaled the opportunity for women to have more active roles in athletics. I couldn't imagine being unable to play sports just because I am a woman! I extremely appreciate all those women who three decades ago refused to give up their passions, and struggled and fought for equality on the playing fields. Sports offer such pertinent learning experiences that no one regardless of gender or race should be prohibited to play. Title IX is also significant to me because it helped create a new sense of femininity and self-esteem amongst girls and women. Now a girl can play a sport, have a higher self-esteem, perform better in the classroom, and not be considered an exception or an anomaly.

Q: In your opinion, what has been a shining moment in women's sports?

A: In 1900, women were first allowed to compete in the Olympics. Although that was a century ago, what a wonderful moment! I absolutely love the Olympic Games! There is nothing better than watching the world unite for two weeks; everyone pursuing the same goal in unity and fraternity. Allowing women to compete gives other females, all over the world, a chance to see strong women pursuing athletics in a professional capacity. As women's participation in the Olympics and sports in general continues to grow, hopefully more young women will be inspired to pursue their athletic dreams as well.

Q: What would you tell young girls who are interested in getting to where you are now?

A: Start young. Try out a variety of sports, even ones that you may find non-traditional. This is especially true for African-American and other minority females, who either only participate in basketball and track, or don't play sports at all. One of the greatest things about Title IX is that it is providing avenues for less popular sports like field hockey, volleyball, etc. Get your parents involved: they can become your biggest supporters, financiers, and helpers. I know that if my parents had never looked into summer track programs, I might not be where I am today. Once you've found your passion, be dedicated, diligent, and disciplined; and take this passion into the classroom also. When you pursue excellence in academics, the collegiate doors are open wide, and you can take both your academic and athletic talents to a whole new level. Be patient: talents require honing. If I would have given up when I thought I was slow or when I lost my first race, I wouldn't be competing right now. Never give up: there will be many times when you lose, and don't perform as well as you would have liked. Keep your head up, and don't let that stop you. Like someone once told me, "a setback is a setup for a comeback." Don't let anyone tell you, you can't do something just because you are a female. It is okay to be a female athlete! Most importantly, pursue your dreams and have fun.