June 6, 2006

Attention track fans! Or just Gamecock fans! Here’s the deal, I, Jason Richardson of Cedar Hill, Texas and now Gamecock Nation, am doing a practicum with USC’s Sport Information Department and I’ve been given the amazing opportunity of providing daily recaps from interworkings of my brain, along with detailed interviews with my teammates and their quest towards track greatness. I’m a rising junior and will be participating in the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships along with a slew of nationally ranked team members. Lace up your spikes and stretch, because the races are about to begin…

Jonathan Fortenberry is one of USC’s most decorated track and field athletes. Although plagued by injury the last couple years, Fortenberry serves as a gap between the older Carolina team and the newer generation. With his health improving, Fortenberry is showing traces of his old form, showing us incredible relay carries at this year’s Penn Relays.

Richardson (USC): This year’s Outdoor nationals for you will be the fifth (5) one you have attended. How do you think this year’s nationals will match up to past outdoor nationals?

Jon: I don’t think it will match up at all. It’s not as hyped up as past years. The talent pool isn’t up there, it’s a down year and this year there’s no spark (no world championships this year with the Olympics two years away). It’s always been at different places, but lately we have had two consecutive visits at Sacramento. Unfortunately, it seems dull.

USC: So in light of your feelings, what are the positive performances you expect from this meet?

Jon: The positives I expect are new stars to be born. Because there aren’t a lot of premier athletes, new ones will emerge and put on a show like Thomas Hilliard (chuckles).

USC: You’re an alternate for the 4×4. You were on USC’s national champion 4×4 your freshman year (2002), running the anchor leg. How do you think USC’s mile relay will fair this weekend?

Jon: No worse than 3rd, it only takes about 3:02 for third. This is the first year that USC is making a comeback. We don’t have the numbers, but we have the talent. The sophomore class has grown and we have a good mixture of veterans and novices. The NCAAs are the biggest event of the year since there are no world championships.

USC: What do you think about the live showing of the meet (CBS running the event live on Saturday)?

Jon: It’s a good thing it’s showing live, it cuts down on the stories with more live meet action.

USC: Your relay carries are the stuff of legends, describe your favorite relay carry.

Jon: Outdoor NC’s prelims 2002, at LSU. I dropped the stick and went from first to last and all I saw was Clemson. After catching Clemson, I caught the University of Florida, East Carolina University and Arizona State University. We got 3rd in the prelims and then we eventually won the 4×4 in finals. I caught Clemson… ALWAYS catch Clemson!

USC: So it’s obvious you put on a show. What are you nicknames and how do they reflect your personality?

Jon: I have 6 nicknames…

• 1. Possum Jenkins: My old school new-soul lover of art.
• 2. The Show 44: Cocky with no respect for competitors, in his mind Track & Field is a war
• 3. 3000: He’s all purpose, ahead of his time. From the 3000 generation, he’s ahead of the game
• 4. Ice Cold: A good guy, everything is just smooth,
• 5. Chameleon Salamander is ‘funkadelic’
• 6. Parmesan: Is my negative personality, the one I feel when the world is coming down on me

USC: Wow, with all these nicknames, how do you fit in the scheme of team chemistry?

Jon: I’m there for motivation. I made posters for my teammates with inspiration. I make them laugh and feel comfortable and let them know that bad performances aren’t the end of the world and that they are scientists and artists in their own way. Never compete, create. I got that from Dr. Nicolas Cooper-Lewter.

USC: What would you like to say to Gamecock fans?

Jon: They are the greatest fans in the world and keep garnet and black runnin’ through your blood

Thank you for your time