Q&A with Track Sprinter/Hurdler Mikaila White

In the beginning of the season, winter track head coach Danielle Stauffer indicated that a few good girls would be leading the winter track team in the 2011-12 campaign.

Among them were a host of throwers, and former Patch Unsung Hero Anna Lombardo, but another sprinter made the list: Mikaila White.

White, a senior now, suffered a hamstring injury in the spring season last year, which thwarted her efforts to achieve her goal of making states in the outdoor season. This year, White has achieved some personal bests, such as an 8.90 in the 55-hurdles, a 7.68 in the 55-meter dash, and a 1:04.2 in the 400-meter. She also holds school records, which are highlighted in the interview.

This week, White took some time to participate in LRSC Patch's Q&A, chatting with Editor Kevin Haslam about her injury, her college process and her track goals.

LRSC Patch: Tell us about your track career - how you got started, what made you fall in love with the sport and when you realized you were good?

Mikaila White: In elementary school and stuff, people would always say 'Oh you're so fast!' So, I tried it out in sixth grade and then in seventh grade I actually went out for the team. I got to like it. It's just like I figured out that I'm actually kind of good at this. I used to play soccer. That was my main thing, and I was always like 'I'm going to be a soccer player!' I went out for track and realized I was fast and beating people. I liked it!

I kept working at it and learned about the times - trying to get the times down and all that stuff. It just became interesting and being able to win - I loved getting medals. So, I was excited about that.

Patch: Do you participate in any fall sports? Cross country or anything like that?

White: I tried cross country once and that wasn't my cup of tea. So, in the fall I usually just try to train, run, do workouts and keep in shape so I'm not dying when I come to winter.

Patch: I understand you had a rough end to your spring season last year. Can you talk about that experience and bouncing back from it this year?

White: I strained my hamstring in the PAC-10s doing my 200. In the middle of it, it was just like a pop. I was feeling tight before and weeks before that. I didn't say anything to my coaches and it just popped in the middle of my 200. I was devastated, because I couldn't get the points for my team and I was just upset with myself. I went to districts and watched and I was upset watching the hurdles, because I was like 'Oh that could be me...'

Coming into this season, it was tight and it was hard because I wasn't running at my full potential and I knew I wasn't. I was getting frustrated in my practices and I would have to talk to my mom and she would have to encourage me. It was all a mental process. I went to the trainers and tried to keep it heated and stretched. It's been just as much of a mental recovery as a physical recovery, because I've got to keep pushing myself knowing I'm not fully healthy and it's hard. But, I'm getting there.

Patch: Over the course of the career, I understand you've been very successful despite your injury. Can you talk about some of your biggest accomplishments throughout your high school career?

White: Last year when I broke 15 in the hurdles was a great accomplishment for myself, because I was working hard trying to get my form down and get low to the hurdles. I was very happy with that. Last year also qualifying individually for the hurdles for the indoors in states, I was very happy with that, because I was like 'I can actually do it by myself!'

Even as a freshman coming in and running on the 4x200 relay, going to nationals was a great accomplishment. I got the school record in the 100-meter in ninth grade. I wasn't even trying to do that, it just happened! I still hold that.

Patch: Wrapping up your senior year, I know you've got some big goals. Would you mind sharing those with us as far as your athletics go?

White: I'm trying to go after the 100-meter hurdles record, which is 14.67 and the 300-meter hurdle record, which is 44.17. I want to state-qualify for outdoor. I have not been to states for anything in outdoor yet. Last year would have been my golden opportunity, but then my hamstring acted up. So, that's what I want to do.

Patch: Wrapping up your senior year as a person and a student, what would you say are some of your favorite memories in this district?

White: I came here in ninth grade. But there's a lot of memories. Most of my greatest memories are with the track kids. Just like the fun we've had, acting goofy and stupid and keeping like a family community. Being able to have fun and still work hard and act crazy and still get stuff accomplished. Reaching goals has been good memories. Having family and friend support in achieving are all good memories.

Patch: What district did you come from before ninth grade?

White: I used to be in the West Chester Area School District. So, if I didn't come here, I would have went to West Chester East and ran.

Patch: What was the transition like for you coming from one school district to another?

White: (laughing) Everyone makes fun of me for this, because in ninth grade, I would not talk to anyone. I was just kind of in my own little... I'd come to practice and I'd have my scarf on, which everyone makes fun of me for, because I was always cold. I would always run in the back of the pack and never really talked to anyone. As the season progressed, I started to open up a little because I got used to people.

But, it was hard. It was hard in school, coming in and not knowing anybody in general and then coming on a track team in high school not knowing what to expect. It definitely got better and easier. Everyone was very kind and loving. It's like a family community.

Patch: Do you consider yourself a leader? Do you try to portray or give information to the freshman and sophomore classes to show them the ropes and such?

White: I consider myself one of the team leaders. I always try to make sure the girls stay encouraged. Even the first day of track when we're running our workout. That's always the hardest day, because some people are coming from not doing anything or another sport and it's different. I tell them, 'Today might be hard, but it will get easier. Don't worry, it's the first day. You may be in the back now, but you never know what's going to happen.'

I think that's the biggest message, because it's hard. It's very much a mental sport and you've got to stay encouraged and keep striving to achieve your goals.

Patch: What's the college process look like for you right now?

White: I'm talking to coaches at Kutztown, West Chester and Robert Morris and I'm just up in the air. I don't even know what I want. I'm going for graphic design as my major, so it's just going to be based on that. I'm not really sure right now.

Patch: That's an interesting selection for a major. What draws you to that?

White: I like art. I'm not a logical thinker. If I was to have an office job... I can solve a problem, but I'm all over the place with it. I'm creative and I love putting stuff together. With graphic design, I can put stuff together and make something on the computer. I'm not drawing. I'm not that great of a drawer. It's definitely like a good creative outlet and I love doing it. I love seeing sports advertising and I would love to do that. That'd be something I'd be interested in. That draws me to it and that's what I'd like to do.

Patch: Last one - if you could go back to your freshman year and talk to yourself - give yourself some tips on how to become the competitor you are now, what would you tell yourself?

White: Don't stress out so much! I would say relax and don't worry about the small stuff. Stay encouraged. Don't get so down on yourself. It'll get better. It'll get easier. Keep fighting and stay strong. That's what I would say.

Photo courtesy of Dave Conard, Spring 2011 Track Season. For more photos like this, visit http://drcphoto.photostockplus.com/