May 26, 2006

Greensboro, N.C. – With seven international medals put around her neck in the past, ALL GOLD!, South Carolina sophomore Natasha Hastings (Rosedale, N.Y.) will put that all behind her Friday when she begins competition in the first day of the two day NCAA East Region Track and Field Championship.

USCsports.com sat down with Hastings as she prepared for competition. Hastings will compete in the 400m (No. 3 in the region), the 4x100m relay (No. 1) and the 4x400m relay (No. 2). She was the runner-up in the 400m last year and was on the NCAA East Region champion 4×4.

USCsports.com: Because this meet is more run for place than for times, are your goals different than they would be if this was the SEC Championship?

Hastings: Slightly. Of course anytime you step on the track you want to win. This weekend the emphasis is to make the next round, nationals. You run the same way because you can use it as a rehearsal to how to execute your race, find out if you are more in shape, what do you need to work on – each aspect of your race.

USCsports.com: While you are just a sophomore, you have competed a high level for a number of years. What experiences from those meets do you bring to the NCAA East Region meet?

Hastings: That you have to put all your trust in God. You can’t do anything without your faith in him. Everything you’ve done all year you have to put into this meet. Memories on winning gold? I always remember World Juniors when I was a member of the 4x400m relay team and we set the world record. Last year I was the flag-bearer to open the meet and afterwards they gave me one of the flags. They felt I represented the country well and that I conducted myself like a young lady. My mom was there so I was really proud.

USCsports.com: Do you have any pre-meet rituals the day of a big race? Something special you eat for breakfast or a song you like to listen to on your I-Pod?

Hastings: Most of the time I listen to a little bit of gospel music. I say a prayer and do my warm-up the same way. I stick to my routine, superstitions aren’t for me. And also wave to my mom if she is there. I usually get there 2 -2 ½ hours before the race. If my family is there I will go say hello to them. Then I will go to the warm-up area. I stretch, do drills, jog for about 15 minutes. I like to have 5-10 minutes after the warm-up to collect my thoughts. In the process of warming up, your adrenilin is flowing and I get a bit antsy. So I sit down and try to focus a little bit and concentrate on my race.

USCsports.com: You have won SEC titles on both the 4×1 and 4×4 relays. Why has South Carolina continued to so well in relays?

Hastings: I guess at the end of the day we come together as a team. Like a family. We maybe are disappointed with each other, but at the end of the day we come together as a team and work things out by running fast.

USCsports.com: Which relay do you prefer to run, if you had to chose one? Do you have a specific leg of that relay you like to run?

Hastings: I guess I would say the 4×4 because that’s the event I am stronger in – the 400m. This year I am running the 4×1. It’s the first time I’ve run it since my freshman year of high school. It’s different, but I enjoy it.

(Any leg you prefer?) No. Maybe one of the last two legs. With every race it’s kind of different, naturally. Generally speaking you put your strongest leg last. Or your first leg if you want a big lead. It depends on the level of competition.

USCsports.com: What do you like to do for fun?

Hastings: I like to spend time with my friends. I am kind of a big Blockbuster movie person. Especially eating lots of popcorn. I love music – sometimes my roommates and I have it out because I like to play a lot loud music.

(what type of movies) I am more into mystery, horror, comedy and romance. Right before we came here I watched ‘Their eyes were watching God.’ It was kind of a romance. I read the book in elementary school, it’s by an African-American author.

I love the Harry Potters movies and the ‘Chronicles of Nianra’. I read the Harry Potter books, too.

USCsports.com: Anything you would like to say to the Gamecock fans?

Hastings: I’ve never been asked that question before (she says with a big smile). Just keep supporting us and root for the ‘Cocks.