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Celebrating Colorado's college-bound track and cross country athletes:</h3>
Miranda Mathiason raced to a first and a second in the 3A State hurdles races last spring. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
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Miranda Mathiason's personal best marks:
100 hurdles - 14.71 (wind legal)
300 hurdles - 46.35
100 meters - 12.67 (wind legal)
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Highland High School doesn't have a long-established line of top-tier hurdlers, so how did you happen to get interested in the idea of hurdling?
I got interested in hurdling because my older brother Mat was a 300 meter hurdles state champion in 2008 and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
The University of Northern Colorado is almost next door to Ault, but I'm guessing you had reasons for going there besides how close it is. What tilted your decision in favor of UNC?
I decided on University of Northern Colorado because when I visited the team and coaches were really nice and welcoming, I felt like I would fit perfectly. Another reason is because I want to pursue a career in teaching and education and UNC has a great teaching program. UNC was an all-in-all perfect fit for me.
Which do you feel is a better race for you, the 100 hurdles or the 300 hurdles?
I feel the 100 meter hurdles suits me better as a runner because I have spent countless hours working on my three step timing in the off-season and after practice.
Do you think you'll have the opportunity to run both 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles at UNC, or are there already indications that they'll be pushing you toward one or the other?
Coach Schick has mentioned me trying the 400 meter hurdles along with running some sprints and the 100 meter hurdles. Coach Lind has talked to me about training with the 400 runners this year as well to prepare me for next year.
How comfortable are you with the idea of trying the 400 hurdles?
I am very comfortable with the idea of running the 400 meter hurdles because I believe I have the potential to do very well in that race.
You went to state--and finals--in three events last spring. Is that looking like the plan again for this spring, or will you be focusing more exclusively on hurdles this spring?
This spring my plan is to run the same events as last spring, I am still planning on running the open 100 and a relay as well as the two hurdle races.
As you look ahead to this spring, are there any goals you'd like to accomplish that you're willing to share with us?
My goals for this spring are to win the state championship in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and open 100. Another goal is to beat the 2A state record in the 100 meter hurdles. A team goal is to compete for a team state championship which would be the first one in school history.
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For those left scratching their heads at that last comment, the current 2A Girls state record for the 100 hurdles is 14.50, set by Emily Hanna in 2006.