Email Interviews

1) Your Name

Leslie Erickson

2) The School you attend (also its city and your state) and if you run for a 
club in the summer what is the 
name of the club?

North Thurston High School, Lacey, Washington

3) What grade are you in?

I'm going to be a senior this fall

4) Briefly summarize your 1999 Track and Field Year so far--

My 1999 Track Season has been going pretty well, but has really gotten 
better in the last month or so. I began breaking my personal records midway 
through the season but improved the most during the state meet, going from 
155'4" to 170'6".  I won the 4A State Javelin Title and also set a 4A State 
Record for Washington.

5) What are your lifetime bests in your event or events (if you compete in 
more than one)? 

My javelin lifetime best is 170'6" (Discus and shotput are just side events 
with marks of 129'11" and 39'8" respectively)

6) What are your thoughts as you head to the World Youth Meet in Poland next 
week? 

I'm very excited about heading for Poland which will be my first 
international meet.  I think that it's going to be a wonderful experience 
and just hope that i can preform as well as i'd like to. I'm very thankful 
for the opportunity to compete and represent the U.S. in this Youth 
Championship.

7) What do you enjoy most about Track and Field? 

I really enjoy the fact that while the javelin is an individual event,  you 
still have your team there supporting you.  The all around competitiveness 
of the sport makes it a lot of fun.  It's a great way to meet lots of new 
people too.

8) Have you done anything different this year in your preparation because of 
your membership on the 
World Championship Youth Team?

I've just tried to maintain my training due to the fact that if you try to 
change too many aspects of the javelin to quickly it has a tendancy to upset 
your whole rythm.  But i am trying to sharpen each skill a little more with 
every practice.

10) What tips could you offer other young athletes just beginning in the 
sport of Track and Field?

Just go out there and give track and field a chance.  Try as many different 
events as you can to try and find the one or ones that best suit you and 
your talents.  There are so many opportunities that i think anyone can find 
something that makes them happy.