John Dye photo at 2002 USA Junior Nationals

Erica McLain was a bright star as a sophomore last year, ending with a spot on Team USA at the World Junior championships in Jamaica. But she was overshadowed in her home state by Ychlindria Spears, the high school record holder in triple jump. This year, Spears is gone to the University of Texas, and there is no one to overshadow McLain in or out of Texas.

McLain is US#1 in both long jump (19-7.5) and triple jump (42-4.75) in the latest DyeStat Elite rankings. The triple jump mark puts her in a tie as the third best US girl ever indoors. She has also added the hurdles to her repertoire and ranks US#7 at 55 meters (8.11) and US#12 at 60 meters (8.80) off her initial efforts.

Erica McLain past performances
Event Mark Meet
2003 Indoor
G-TJ 42' 1.25 2/15/2003, UH All Comers TX, # 1
G-LJ 18' 11.75 2/15/2003, UH All Comers TX, # 4
G-60H 8.8 p 2/15/2003, UH All Comers TX, # 3
G-55H 8.11 2/1/2003, Texas Tech open TX, # 1
G-TJ 42' 4.75 2/1/2003, Texas Tech open TX, # 1
G-LJ 19' 7.5 2/1/2003, Texas Tech open TX, # 1
G-TJ 41' 5 1/25/2003, National Inv AR, # 1
G-LJ 19' 0.75 1/25/2003, National Inv AR, # 1
G-60H 9.28 1/25/2003, National Inv AR, # 4
2002 Outdoor
G-LJ 20' 3.75 p 7/21/2002, World Juniors , # 12
G-LJ 20' 0.25 7/12/2002, Bahamas Pre-World , # 1
G-TJ 41' 8.5 -2.3 6/21/2002, USA Jr Nationals CA, # 2
G-LJ 19' 3.5 -2.1 6/21/2002, USA Jr Nationals CA, # 1
G-TJ 42' 10 +5.6 6/8/2002, Golden West Inv CA, # 1
G-LJ 20' 3 +1.5 6/8/2002, Golden West Inv CA, # 1
G-TJ 43' 5.25 +5.5 5/11/2002, 5A State Meet TX, # 1
G-LJ 20' 2.5 +7.5 5/11/2002, 5A State Meet TX, # 3
G-TJ 41' 9 +2.9 4/27/2002, 5A Reg 2 Waco TX, # 1
G-LJ 19' 4.25 +4.1 4/27/2002, 5A Reg 2 Waco TX, # 2
G-TJ 39' 3 -3.2 4/6/2002, Texas Relays Combo TX, # 4
G-LJ 19' 1.75 +0.0 4/6/2002, Texas Relays Combo TX, # 3

Q and A with Erica McLain

1. You seem to be off to a big start this year. Are you training any differently?
This year I really believe that maturity has more to do with my strength than anything. The only thing that my coach has me doing differently is more lifting combined with various interval sets on the track.

2. What is your biggest goal for this year? for your athletic career?
My biggest goal would have to be getting my techique consistant for the 100m hurdles, which I started training for in October. I finally got over my fear of them, now I need some technique. As far as an athletic career goes, I would just like to stay healthy and live out what God has planned for my life, whether its focus is on track or medicine (which is what I plan to major in).

3. What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
My proudest accomplishment(s) would have to be opening my indoor season with marks I didn't reach last year until towards the end of my high school season. That and getting over my fear of hurdles.

4. What person (athlete or otherwise) would you most like to meet? Why?
I would have to say Wilma Rudolph. I know that I have those days when I'm tired and practice is going to be hard and I just don't want to push myself to do it, yet Wilma Rudulf had almost impossible odds against her and she worked hard and over-came them all. I look up to her for her strength and will to push herself.

5. How do you prepare yourself mentally for a big event? Do you have a favorite song? Do you still carry your teddy bear to meets?
Carry my Pooh bear to meets? OF COURSE!! :- ) after Junior nationals, when you referred to him as my mascot, I decided that he truly was. My Pooh bear goes to all of my meets (see photo above) and he wears a pin from all the big ones (ex: Junior World's, TX relays, etc.) He even sings, which makes me feel better when I'm having a bad meet. Music is also a major tool for helping me to relax a meets. I listen to all sorts of music to help keep my mind off competition.

6. Some people consider decathletes and heptathletes the world's greatest all round athletes. Does it bother you that they do not get the recognition that stars of basketball, football, and baseball receive?
Well, this is a very controversial subject because all though I agree that heptathletes /decathletes are far better all around athletes, football, basketball, and baseball players bring in the most money. And what's really sad is that many people go into those sports strictly for the money. To be a track athlete, because iot does not recieve as much recognition, I believe you have to have a real passion to succeed so recognition is not as important.

7. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? Explain.
My mom has probably been the my greatest influence because she has never stopped me from trying something that I wanted to try. I started competitive sports at the age of 5 and since then, I have tried 6 different sports (including being a competitive gymnast for 7.5 yrs) because she never held me back. She really wants the best for me and believes that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.

8. What do you like to do when you have spare time from school work and track (if you have any spare time)?
Spare time? Hehehe! yeah that's definitely limited and practically obsolete during track season. If I do get it I really just like to chill at the mall or at home with a good movie. I'm not really the party type. Hopefully I'll get a little more spare time during my senior year cause I'd really like to go skiing and to Hawaii with some friends.