One of the results that stood out the first weekend of full statewide running was a fine 100 Meter Hurdles time from the Oaks Christian/Village Christian Invite March 3rd for Emani Truluck of Malibu HS.  Emani hooked up with Jared Finley of the strong St. Mary's HS of Inglewood program, with the Malibu junior a 14.79w winner over Finley's 14.88w.  With that pretty darn good start to the 2007 outdoor campaign we were anxious to try to talk to the state's newest hurdling star, with the interview below an interesting one. Olympic level relatives in your event area always help, with the young lady who last year was 15.14 (4th) and 46.42 (5th) in the two hurdle events at the Southern Section Division IV Championship Meet looking ready to challenge the state's best as the season develops.    

1) Great start to the season, what have you done in preparation for track and field that has you come out charging as the first week state leader?
I have been training since the end of the last track season. Also, my cousin Tonie Campbell, started to help me which made the largest difference. I did a lot more endurance and over-training than ever before.


2) Describe your successes in track and field over the last year or two and your general background in the sport (start in age-group at all?)?
I started running track in the 9th grade to stay in shape for basketball. It turned out that I was pretty good. I started hurdling in the 10th grade, just 1 and 1/2 years ago because my dad suggested I try it. Last year, I made it to the CIF Finals but this year I would like to go all the way to state.

3) What parts of your hurdling and running did you want to particularly work on this season after last spring's season of track?
I wanted to be in better shape to begin with and I really wanted to work on my speed in-between the hurdles. I also wanted to get quicker over the hurdles (making everything swing through quickly).

4) What other sports do you play and how have you done at those (how did you and the Sharks do this winter in basketball)?
I am not playing any other sports this year. I didn't play basketball because this year I wanted to focus on track and ensure my success before I put my time elsewhere. If I do really well in track this year, I might play basketball again next year. In track, I just learned how to triple jump about 3 weeks ago so I'll be doing that too.

5) What are some of your goals for the coming spring track and field season?
I would like to compete in the bigger invitationals like Arcadia and Mt. Sac. I would also like to go to state this year in the hurdles and the triple jump. I know I just learned how to jump, but several coaches said that I'm a natural triple jumper so I might be pretty good.

6) What advice would you have for a beginning hurdler or athlete who competes in more than one sport in a serious way during the school year?
Even though you're playing more than one sport, you must stay polished in both. Like me, when I played basketball last year, I practiced hurdling during the basketball season. On Saturdays, starting in the morning, I would go run/hurdle, go lift weights, and then go to a 3 hour basketball training, all back-to-back. It will be hard because you'll have to put in more work than your friends that only play one sport but if you stick with it, it'll pay off in the long run.