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Mackenzie Hill talks about her summer of running!!! - World Youth Championships (Canada) and Pan Am Junior Meet (Barbados)

Mackenzie in action at World Youth Games in Canada

While most top California athletes finished their season at thes state meet, a select few continued their racing into the summer and had some super efforts there. It takes a bit of planning to take one's season into the summer with Age-Group or Junior (under age 20) or Youth (under age 18) championship action such as Mackenzie did this past summer. It seems as if she picked up experience at the International level that will be invaluable in her athletic future. Starting with the US Junior Championships in late June at Stanford, then on to the World Youth Meet in Canada in July, and the Pan Am Juniors in Barbados later that month, Hill was all over the map after graduation picking up super experience in bringing home medals from all three meets!. After being at the starting line against the best in the world or the America's at her level should make any competition at the collegiate level a fairly comfortable one. Mackenzie has chosen to stay in the southland at UCLA and it looks like the Bruins have secured a super one!!

In the past spots for the US Junior Team (under 20) have been secured at the US Junior Championships, next June in Buffalo, with that squad competing in Italy in the July World Junior Championships next summer. In the past, membership on the World Youth (under 18) squad has been achieved by proving oneself in a previous year's USATF JO or US Junior Championship affair, then showing fitness during a current season. We understand that this system may change in the future.

Congrats Mackenzie - best of luck - Doug Speck

1) Briefly trace your international racing experience this summer at the World Youth Games in Canada and Pan American Junior Games in Barbados--

1) June 2003 was an exciting month. It started when I won the 300 Meter Low Hurdles in the California State Meet, which was my number 1 goal since the beginning of the season. My hard work and preparation through out the year continued to reap its benefits when I was invited to compete in Canada on the World Youth Team, and earned a spot on the Pan American Junior National Team. My international experience began on the 4th of July when I flew to Buffalo New York to join the World Youth Team. Then I traveled with my teammates to Sherbrooke Canada. Canada was the first time I competed not knowing my competition by name. In fact I did not know the names of some countries that some of the athletes were from. However, there were some familiar faces on my team, people that I competed against on a regular basis.

In Sherbrooke I ran my second best time and earned a bronze medal. After competing in the World Youth Games I joined the Pan American Team in Miami, Florida, and then we flew down to Barbados. Before competition we had the chance to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Barbados. Again there were familiar faces on my team, a number of athletes from the Long Beach area. However, I was still faced with unfamiliar competition. I improved my season’s second fastest time and again earned the bronze medal.

2) What one or two biggest items of information or sense of what it takes to compete at an International level did you return from those meets with?

2) It is important to go into the meet with the confidence that you belong. You must realize that no one on the track has wings. Everyone on the track with you is there to run the same race, at the same distance, with the same goal. You should believe in your training and know that, it is what got you on the track. And it is important to just go out there and have some fun.

3) How were the circumstances surround the international level competitions different than the typical California Invitational or CIF Championship competition?

3) Even though competition in California is competitive considering that you need to run one of the fastest times in the nation to win the state meet, in international competition you must run one of the fastest times in the world to prevail.

4) How were the housing and food situations and did they require any serious adjustment on your part?

4) The food in the two countries is extremely different from what I am use to eating. Even so, the only major adjustment was the time of day that I ate.

5) How was the sense of "team" with the USA competitors in the two groups you were involved with (World Youth and Pan Am Jr's)?

5) Both teams grew quickly to become a family. We all cheered for each other and supported one another.

6) What went through your mind at the starting line before the finals at the World Youth and Pan Ams as you stood at the starting line with your USA uniform?

6) At the World Youth Games I thought “I made it this far, I just need to run my race. I have my family in the stands watching and supporting me, while I have my new friends as well as new teammates cheering for me. And that I cannot give up, because no is out here to lose.” In the Pan American Games I was thinking “I have run an international race before, just disregard the fact that they are from different countries and do what you came to do, just run.”

7) Who would you like to thank most for getting you to this point in your career?

7) I would like to thank Terry Kennedy, and Johnny Estrada. Without them I would not be the athlete that I am today, or half the person I am becoming. I would also like to thank the 2003 Long Beach Wilson Track Team, for supporting me throughout my season.

8) What advice would you have to top California athletes about getting into the summer USATF (JO or Junior Championship) competitions that qualify one for these International Youth or Junior Age--have they advanced your career in the sport?

8) I would advise others to continue practicing and competing through the summer, especially in quality meets. I didn’t participate in age group track so you don’t have to run yourself into the ground or start when you are 5 to be successful. It just takes hard work and dedication, but you can also have a life and pursue other interests. But during the season the key is focus, focus, focus.

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