June 14, 2003

Tony Allmond sat down with uscsports.com for a Q&A session from the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., after setting a new school record to finish second in the long jump final.

How did it feel to compete at your first NCAA Championships in your home state of California?

Competing in California was not really any different for me. It felt like any other meet. What it did was give me a chance to gain more prestige at the end when people focus on my performance and that I did it in my home state.

How much support have you had with family and friends from home in attendance at this meet and how has did that help you?

I had about five family members here including my mom and my grandmother. It was cool because it gave me another reason to “put on a show.” It was the first time that they had a chance to see me compete this year. It gave me more incentive to come out and do things when it counts and I used their support as motivation.

What was the key to your performance this week with having the longest preliminary jump and finishing second in the finals?

I had my approach run down pat and was getting faster and faster with each jump. I was running well and without injuries. Earlier in the year my leg was bothering me but it was fine for this meet. My goal was to show composure set a good example and do my best. I wanted to “put on a show” at the big meet because people were counting on me to that.

You broke the school’s long jump record by over six inches, a record that stood for 24 years, how does it feel to achieve that feat?

Breaking the school record was one of my goals and I felt like it was something I should be able to reach. I want to break these school records and push them to where the next ones to break it are really going to have to reach.

What does the near future hold for Tony Allmond?

I will be competing at United State Track and Field Championships next weekend in Palo Alto. Before I came out here I was not quite sure how I would feel going into that meet. After my success at the NCAA’s I am focused on trying to do well there and with the way I feel I should be able to put forth a great effort. Next year I will come back with a goal of reaching 27’5″ and winning an indoor and outdoor title.