Ashley Snyder enters the turn in last year's state 200 meter prelims. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
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Ashley Snyder's best marks:
100 meters - 12.24
200 meters - 25.17
400 meters - 57.81
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Tell us a little about the decision for the University of Wyoming. What made you decide on Laramie?
Of course! I love UW because its a D1 school and it has amazing facilities. The sports area plus the campus in general is growing. I like Laramie because it is bigger than my town but not as big as Denver, a happy medium. The sprint coach also had a big influence on my decision. He is very upbeat, energetic and seems to be very dedicated to his athletes.
What do you plan to study at the University of Wyoming?
I plan on studying business.
You started running the 400 last spring after being focused on the 100 and 200 prior to that time. Will we be seeing more of the 400 this spring?
Yes, I will be running the 400 this spring. I have a love/hate relationship with the 400. I hate the pain from the race. However, since the 400 is longer than the other sprints, I enjoy the extra time to adjust to the competition, especially the last 100 meters. I really would like to decrease my time.
Of the three sprint distances, which are your favorite and least favorite? And why?
I don't really have a favorite race. I guess my favorite is what I am doing the best in at the time. Of course the 100 is the shortest which is nice, but more thinking comes in with the blocks. For the 200, I just have to be pumped up and motivated throughout the whole race or I end up slowing down. As for the 400, it is by far the most painful but it is more fun to pace myself and have a full sprint at the end.
Most sprinters avoid cross country like the plague, but you've run cross country faithfully through high school. What has kept you coming back to cross country?
In 8th grade I started cross country because it was the thing to do in my family. I don't enjoy playing volleyball, so when I got to high school, the only other sport to do in the fall was cross country. My dad swore it would help me with track, so I tried it out. The other 3 years, I don't know why I kept going back to the sport. I guess I would have felt guilty if I didn't join again.
If you had to pick a favorite moment from high school sports to date, what would that be?
My favorite moment from high school would be when my 800 sprint medley team won the state championship [2013]. I remember it clearly when my teammate crossed the finish line in first place. The feeling of winning was so awesome that we couldn't help but jump and scream.
How about goals for this spring? What do you have your eyes set on for your final high school season?
I would really like to improve my times in the 100, 200, and 400. It would be awesome if I could receive an individual state championship. However, if I don't and my times just improve that would still be rewarding.