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Monika Williams Best Marks
100 - 13.69
200 - 26.52
400 - 57.61
100 Hurdles - 15.60
300 Hurdles - 44.44
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Q) Talk about the recruitment process - what other schools were you looking at, and how did you come to choosing the Howard University?
The recruiting process was very new to my parents and I. I spent a lot of time trying to contact coaches at the schools I applied to and I was trying to put myself out there as much as possible. I applied to 14 schools, but figuring out where I was able to run was a big factor in my decision. Ultimately, Howard was the best fit for me!
Q) What do you plan to study at Howard?
I plan on studying Biology on the pre-med track.
Q) What got you into track in the first place?
I had tried so many other sports to no avail, and when I finally came across running, I immediately knew it was the sport for me. I wasn't very good when I started but I kept working at it nonetheless.
Q) You've had success in everything from the 100 up to the 400, and on over to the 300 hurdles, what would you say is your favorite event, and why?
I think my favorite event is the 400 because it truly a test of my mental and physical abilities. I think the 400 is mostly mental so I am able to test myself each and every time I run it. While I believe it's a love hate relationship, the 400 will probably always be my favorite.
Q) You went from 54.16 in the 300H your freshmen year, down to 45.81 your sophomore year, and consistently run between 45-46 seconds in the event since then, (and went from 1:08 400 your freshmen year to 58 your sophomore year, to 57) first talk about what you did from your freshmen to sophomore year to make such gains, and then about what you've done to remain so consistent.
I came into freshman year with no training or knowledge of what it took to run track but I decided not to give up on it. I can credit these gains to both my high school and club coaches, who believed in me even when I didn't really believe in myself. It took a lot of determination and getting knocked down quite a bit, but I knew that running was something I wanted to continue doing no matter what.
Q) What event do you see yourself focusing on at Howard?
I see myself focusing on the 400 at Howard and I look forward to seeing how much farther I can get with it!
Q) Could you share any goals you have for the final week of the track season?
I just hope to enjoy my final weeks of my last high school track season and I hope that I'm able to set some new PR's at the state track meet. More specifically, I hope to break 57 seconds in the 400.
Q) What would your favorite high school moment be (so far)?
One of my favorite memories from high school track was last year when my team won the 2A Sprint Medley Relay at the State championships!
