Victoria Lucas Q&A
April 19, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas -- TexasSports.com sat down with senior high jumper Victoria Lucas to talk about a variety of things including her approach to the high jump and what she takes on the road with her. What fundamental do you consider most important in High Jump? Consistency in finding your rhythm is most important in high jump because once an athlete finds their rhythm and they are consistent with that it gives them confidence. Confidence leads you to success. How has she personalized this approach? I have not personalized it. In high jump it is important to master the technique through a lot of technical work. There is a lot of watching film on yourself and people whom are better than you that have mastered it. Do you have a specific take off? I rock a little bit. I visualize a lot before I jump. What is your starting height? I actually just recently increased it to 5'9. What is your strategy for picking your starting height? In college it has gotten confusing because once you get to higher heights they start to increase with every one inch. It gets frustrating because then you have five jumps before 6ft, so I started to think the higher I open the fewer jumps I have below 6ft. Then it would be easier to stay consistent with 6ft, along with starting with a higher height there is more intensity going into it. If I start at the lower heights I realized I am more passive so when they raise the bar, I think "oh I can be passive" which is not true. So it I start higher I know I can make it, which makes everything better. What is your strategy for competition? I have a new strategy after his past week. I have learned to go in relaxed, confident, and making sure I have fun. How do you stay in competition mode while waiting for your turn to jump? I think it is not too hard to stay in competition mode just because there are different events going on all over the track. Since there is so much going on, your adrenaline is steadily going.
How does High Jump differ from other track events? High jump takes a lot of focus and you have to be so technically involved. There are so many minute factors that make the process complicated. High jump is very detailed. What is your goal for the High Jump now that you have cleared six feet? The Olympic trails A standard is 1.86m. If I get that it would be great. How does weather effect competition? Weather affects it a lot but after competition in the rain, freezing, and other unexpected weather conditions these past three years, I am able to adapt. I say go ahead and bring on the weather, it may throw everyone else off but I am used to it by now For road trips, what is something you always brings along? A book, usually it is the bible. |
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