Spotlight On...
With the first Indoor Track & Field meet just days away, it's time to start putting the spotlight onto some of our track & field athletes. Our first featured track & field athlete may not be the biggest kid on the team, but he certainly makes his presence known. He waited until his sophomore year to join the team and he continues to improve year after year. He has become a leader on the team - bringing not only comic relief, but encouragement and patience to both his teammates and coaches. He works hard in-season and out of season and it's paying off. The coaches are really looking forward to seeing what he can do on the track and down the long jump runway this year. Our first featured Track & Field athlete is none other than:
Name: Malik Harris
Year: Senior (junior athletically)
Event: 100m, 200m, Long Jump
Major: Athletic Training
How did you get into XC/Track & Field?
I started running track in the 8th grade after unsuccessful attempts of playing basketball and football. Even though I wasn’t as naturally gifted as others in the sport, I enjoyed the constant pursuit of improvement.
If you could do any other event, what would it be?
If I could do any other event, I would do the triple jump.
What’s your pre-meet ritual?
I always do an initial warmup as soon as we get to the track. I do a couple starts on a straight away, and a couple on a curve just to ensure I am comfortable with everything I did in practice.
What’s your go-to warmup song?
“Too Much Sauce” by DJ Esco, Lil Uzi Vert, and Future.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Run with no worries and stay relaxed.
Favorite place on campus and why?
The athletic training clinic. Something is always hurting during track season, in there things hurt less.
Do you have an athletic idol? Who?
Stephan Curry. In addition to being a man of God, his play style is very carefree and free flowing.
Favorite place to compete?
Gettysburg. Our 4x100 always seems to get their act together by that point of the season. The last two times we went there the weather has been nice, and I PRed in something.
Favorite XC/Track and field memory?
Setting a season’s best time in the 4x100 at ECACs last year. Our team had been inconsistent in terms of who would run on the relay; to run the time we did at the biggest meet of the year made all of the hard work worth it.
What is your favorite event to watch?
The 100m, which is also my favorite to run.
What’s the last book you’ve read for fun?
Dr. Seuss’ Oh the Places You’ll Go
Favorite and Least favorite workout?
My favorite workouts are the ones done in the weight room. I enjoy lifting a lot more than running (not including sprinting; sprinting is not the same as running). On the track my favorite workout would be 100m repeats and bleacher work. My least favorite workouts are anything above 300m.
What are your goals for the future?
In the near future, I would like to be an athletic trainer and an educator. On the track, I would just like to continue to qualify for ECACs and possibly make a run for nationals.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Gaining the confidence to join the track team in the first place. It has been a decision that I haven’t regretted for a second.
Stuck on a desert island what three things would you need/want with you?
An airplane, a pilot, and directions home.
Describe one thing about you that makes you unique.
My upbringing. Watching my parents work hard to take our family from a relatively low income household to a relatively high one has given me a unique sense of humility. They never spoiled me which taught me to work hard for everything.
What actor would play you in a movie about your life?
Kevin Hart.
