Get to Know Q & A
- How did you get your start in track and field and/or cross country?
I started running track in 6th grade on my middle school track team. I had terrible form but was still the fastest on the team. The following year in 7th grade COVID hit and my school shut down but I continued to train with my coach throughout the summer where we were able to work on my form and overall speed.
Dana, India, & Coach - Covid Summer
- Your parents' athletic background. Did they play any sports-where(HS, College, Pro), what position, when, any awards? Please include names.
My mom ran track, played basketball and was a cheerleader in high school. My dad did track, played basketball, and football in high school then ran track and played football in college. He then went on to play professional football for 9 years then his athletic career ended the year I was born (2006) due to an injury.
Dad and Dana
- Any siblings? Please include names and genders and any accomplishments in or out of sport.
I have a younger sister named India who is 14 and she also runs track. She does hurdles short and long. She also grew up playing soccer but now just does volleyball and track.
Dana and India Family picture
- Outside interests- your hobbies, talents(musical, chess, anything), volunteering- what do you do in your free time?
I love to paint and draw in my free time and relax with my dog
- At school, do you do any extracurricular activities? i.e. student government, clubs or other sports.
I'm in a few clubs at school and I like to change up the clubs I'm in because that's something we're able to do at my school. So I've been in many different clubs most of them being service related most having to do with helping underprivileged children.
- Pre- and post- race rituals. Any superstitions?
I'm not very superstitious but there are a few things I always do the same such as say the same prayer right before my race and always give my dad a hug before I check in. Post race I'll always cool down and stretch a little but no specific superstitious rituals.
- Movie watcher and/or book reader? What is/are your favorite book and/or movie and why?
I would much rather watch movies than read books because I'll end up thinking of something else while reading then forget everything I just read. So when I read books I usually read along with an audiobook or just listen to the audiobook. However my favorite book I've read is Secret Life of Bees which I read for the first time when I was 12. My favorite movie is probably Little women to me. It's like a comfort movie. There's many happy parts, some sad and overall it's a very enjoyable movie that I'll never get tired of.
- How do you deal with setbacks and triumphs?
Whenever I have a setback I always try and think of it as a learning opportunity although I do sometimes get disappointed. I try not to dwell on it too much and use it to learn more about myself and perhaps some training changes needed to be made or other things that need to be changed. Triumphs I always appreciate- who wouldn't? I'm not much of a celebrator but I'm always grateful and try and remember that the Lord was the one who has to do with my success.
- Pet owner? If so, what is your pet's name and type/breed?
I have a dog named Zuri and she's 7 years old. She's a Basenji which is an ancient egyptian dog breed.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
In 5 years I see myself graduating college and running throughout the summer. Then maybe going pro if I'm so lucky.
- What words would you have for your sixth grade self?
Build good habits now and focus on what's important as a 12 year old girl. Doing well in school, spending time with your family and friends, being kind and making new friends I would also tell her to not worry so much about what others think.
- Who is your favorite track and field athlete and why? How about other sports-who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorites are mostly female track athletes who also are sprinters mostly because I feel like I can learn things from them whether it's just from watching them run, listening to interviews or just seeing how they carry themselves. So if I had to name a few I'd say Allison Felix, Gabby Thomas and Sydney McLaughlin but I'm not sure I could just choose one athlete.
- Favorite hype song, if any, before your competition
Most of the music I listen to is very calm so I really couldn't say I have a favorite hype song. I usually like to stay more on the calm and collected side before my race and when I'm warming up.
- Many athletes are quoted as saying " trust the process". What does that mean to you?
I think "trust the process” means to trust the path God has put you on the people he's given you that help you. Trust the workouts your coach has you doing and stay patient throughout the tough parts of the season or possible valleys in your performance and even injuries.
- How do you balance social media with your performance? Does social media impact you positively or negatively?
I'd say balancing social media isn't a very hard thing for me because I'm not super present on it. I use it positively and because of that I think it has a positive effect on me. I use it to maybe laugh a little or talk to friends.
- Favorite and not favorite high school subject and why?
My favorite high school subject right now is English because I think that's a class that allows creativity and it's another way to consume others' creative work which is something I enjoy. My least favorite is definitely math. There's definite right and wrong answers and it often doesn't make sense to me and takes up a lot of my studying time.
- Favorite musical artist and why? What is your favorite song by that artist?
My favorite artist right now is Tyler the Creator and my favorite song by him right now is puppet
- Favorite pre- and post- meal?
I don't always eat the same things before and after I run but after I always will enjoy Mexican food and pre I don't really care usually I'll just have something really light because I don't like to eat a bunch before I run.
- Dire question warning :) If you were unable to continue to compete in track and field, what would you do?
Do something creative that also helps people, something that doesn't feel like work to me. I'm not 100% sure what that would be.
- What do you see your legacy being-in and outside the track world?
I'm not sure what I see it being but I'd want it to be that I was a very successful athlete that many people loved because I was fun to watch and carried myself well and treated everyone with the kindness they deserved.
- What is your vice? What do you binge on that you can't seem to control?
I'm embarrassed to say TikTok but I also really like the show New Girl.
- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?
It would be my dads dad because I never got to meet him he passed not too long after I was born
