May 21, 2002

As the Gamecock Track and Field Team prepares to compete at the NCAA Championships, USCSports.com sat down with Lashinda Demus of the South Carolina Women’s Track and Field Team in a quick Question and Answer Session.

USCSports.com: Was your freshman year what you expected?

LD: I had big expectations coming in, but I didn’t expect to do so well this year. I had drastic drops in times and I set personal records in every event that I competed in, except the 400-meter hurdles. Coming in, it was a big shock, but it has just wanted me to work harder for the years to come.

USCSports.com: What is the best part about the University of South Carolina?

LD: The team. I think a lot of teams look up to South Carolina and see how in sync we are with each other. That is one of the big factors of why I chose to come to South Carolina was that closeness with the team.

USCSports.com: What is your most memorable track and field moment?

LD: In high school, actually, when I broke the 300-meter hurdles record and ran a 39.9. That is a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

USCSports.com: What is your favorite sport other than track and field?

LD: I like playing basketball. I like football, but I don’t really understand the game, so I’d have to say basketball is my favorite sport other than track and field.

USCSports.com: What do you like the best about the coaches at USC?

LD: Even though Coach Frye has so many athletes, he makes sure he works individually with everybody. If it’s not everyday, he will make it a point to work with you individually.

USCSports.com: What do you like to do around Columbia if you have an afternoon off?

LD: Eat. I like to eat. I don’t have a particular place I like to go, I eat everything. It doesn’t matter what it is, I like to eat.

USCSports.com: What do you do to prepare for each track meet?

LD: There’s nothing particular that I do before each track meet except that I don’t eat. I make sure to wait until after the track meet to eat. I also like to listen to music to get me in the mindset for the meet.

USCSports.com: What was your favorite vacation spot as a kid?

LD: My family didn’t really go on a lot of vacations and I spent most of my summers running track. But I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii. Either that or the Bahamas.

USCSports.com: What was it like winning the SEC Championships this year?

LD: It was like winning any other competition. It was a good feeling, but you can’t get too happy. There is still another track meet coming up and it has made me want to work harder for the next one.