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Ashley Huffman, Monmouth Women's Indoor Track & Field
2/7/2005
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| Monmouth's Ashley Huffman | |
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The NEC's Danielle Vento recently had the opportunity to speak with Monmouth sophomore women’s indoor track and field athlete Ashley Huffman. Huffman was awarded the Most Valuable Performer Award and the Rookie of the Meet Award after winning the long jump championship and finishing third in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2004 NEC Indoor Championships. Huffman and the Hawks look to defend their team title as they head to the NEC Indoor Track and Field Championship this weekend in Landover, MD at the Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex.
Name: Ashley Huffman
School: Monmouth
Sport: Indoor Track & Field
Year: Sophomore
Events: 55/60 meter dash, 60 meter hurdles, 200 meters, high lump, long jump, pentathlon
Hometown: South Setauket, NY
High School: Ward Melville
Major: Political Science
Notable Honors: Named Most Valuable Performer and Rookie of the Meet at the 2004 Indoor and Outdoor NEC Championships
High School: Ward Melville
Major: Political Science
Notable Honors: Named Most Valuable Performer and Rookie of the Meet at the 2004 Indoor and Outdoor NEC Championships
Last Movie You Saw: White Noise
Favorite Food: pizza
Favorite Class You’ve Taken at Monmouth: English with Professor Segilman
Favorite Sport to Watch: track
Hobbies: playing the guitar, writing songs, painting, drawing
NEC: Why did you choose to attend Monmouth?
AH: It was kind of on a fluke. The coaches at Monmouth really wouldn’t leave me alone and it just kind of turned out that way. I loved that it was by the beach; it reminded me of back home because I live on Long Island. Also, Monmouth has a beautiful campus and the team seemed really close when I came to visit.
NEC: How long have you been competing in track & field?
AH: Since third grade, when I was about eight years old.
AH: It was kind of on a fluke. The coaches at Monmouth really wouldn’t leave me alone and it just kind of turned out that way. I loved that it was by the beach; it reminded me of back home because I live on Long Island. Also, Monmouth has a beautiful campus and the team seemed really close when I came to visit.
NEC: How long have you been competing in track & field?
AH: Since third grade, when I was about eight years old.
NEC: How did you get involved in the sport?
AH: I always knew I was fast. Then one day my sister brought home a flyer for this track club program run by a local church. I joined the program and started competing.
AH: I always knew I was fast. Then one day my sister brought home a flyer for this track club program run by a local church. I joined the program and started competing.
NEC: What is your role on the Monmouth indoor track team?
AH: I try to encourage everyone on the team. I know a lot of people depend on me for points and I try to help out as much as I can, especially with the events I know well.
NEC: You participate in both indoor and outdoor track. What, if any, are the big differences in competition?
AH: Well, at Monmouth there is a huge difference between indoor and outdoor track. Indoor is a little more difficult because we don’t have an indoor track. We either practice outside in the freezing weather or try to do whatever we can in the gym. We don’t get to do as much technique or running work indoors, so we depend more on the meets as almost extra practice sessions. Outdoors is a lot easier in terms of practices, but we try to make the best of our situation during the indoor season.
AH: I try to encourage everyone on the team. I know a lot of people depend on me for points and I try to help out as much as I can, especially with the events I know well.
NEC: You participate in both indoor and outdoor track. What, if any, are the big differences in competition?
AH: Well, at Monmouth there is a huge difference between indoor and outdoor track. Indoor is a little more difficult because we don’t have an indoor track. We either practice outside in the freezing weather or try to do whatever we can in the gym. We don’t get to do as much technique or running work indoors, so we depend more on the meets as almost extra practice sessions. Outdoors is a lot easier in terms of practices, but we try to make the best of our situation during the indoor season.
NEC: What pushed you in the direction of the events you participate in?
AH: I always loved the long jump and my senior year (of high school) I finally realized I could go somewhere with it. I started doing the hurdles as a senior and as I got better I really started to love those because they’re so much fun. I guess I ended up competing in the events I was good at.
NEC: What is your favorite event to compete in? Why?
AH: I like the long jump the best. It’s like you’re flying for a second.
NEC: Which event is the most difficult? What makes it the toughest?
AH: Probably the high jump. I’m not able to practice it as much as other people are able to and it’s harder mentally to get into it because of the lack of practice.
NEC: How did it feel to be named the Most Outstanding Performer at last season’s NEC indoor and outdoor championship meets as a freshman?
AH: It was a pretty cool feeling, especially as a freshman. It was kind of overwhelming the first time (at the indoor championships). I couldn’t believe it! Hopefully I’ll be able to do it again this year.
NEC: How is Monmouth preparing for the conference championships? Is there any additional pressure to defend your team championship?
AH: I would say the pressure is about the same as last year. We know what we have and we’ve been working really hard to try and win again. We’re nervous just like everyone else but we’re not going to freak out about it. As a team, we’re going to try our best and I’ll try my best and do whatever I can do to help the team and hopefully that will result in a repeat of last year’s result.
NEC: What are your personal goals for next weekend’s NEC Championship meet?
AH: I’m trying to qualify for nationals in the long jump. Twenty feet is the qualifying mark and I’m only one inch away. I’ve been saving my legs this week and resting up so hopefully I’ll be able to reach that mark next weekend.
NEC: Do you have any goals, in terms of specific times or heights, you would like to reach by the end of this year? Long term goals you would like to reach by the time you leave Monmouth?
AH: My main goal is to make it to nationals in both the winter and the spring. I’d like to reach 21 feet in the long jump and run a sub fourteen-second time in the 100 hurdles outdoors. I’d like to break some NEC records by the time I leave Monmouth.
NEC: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
AH: Definitely my parents. We’ve been going through some hard times lately as a family and track has been kind of an outlet for them, as well as for myself. I really like doing well for them - it gives me extra motivation when I’m competing.
AH: I always loved the long jump and my senior year (of high school) I finally realized I could go somewhere with it. I started doing the hurdles as a senior and as I got better I really started to love those because they’re so much fun. I guess I ended up competing in the events I was good at.
NEC: What is your favorite event to compete in? Why?
AH: I like the long jump the best. It’s like you’re flying for a second.
NEC: Which event is the most difficult? What makes it the toughest?
AH: Probably the high jump. I’m not able to practice it as much as other people are able to and it’s harder mentally to get into it because of the lack of practice.
NEC: How did it feel to be named the Most Outstanding Performer at last season’s NEC indoor and outdoor championship meets as a freshman?
AH: It was a pretty cool feeling, especially as a freshman. It was kind of overwhelming the first time (at the indoor championships). I couldn’t believe it! Hopefully I’ll be able to do it again this year.
NEC: How is Monmouth preparing for the conference championships? Is there any additional pressure to defend your team championship?
AH: I would say the pressure is about the same as last year. We know what we have and we’ve been working really hard to try and win again. We’re nervous just like everyone else but we’re not going to freak out about it. As a team, we’re going to try our best and I’ll try my best and do whatever I can do to help the team and hopefully that will result in a repeat of last year’s result.
NEC: What are your personal goals for next weekend’s NEC Championship meet?
AH: I’m trying to qualify for nationals in the long jump. Twenty feet is the qualifying mark and I’m only one inch away. I’ve been saving my legs this week and resting up so hopefully I’ll be able to reach that mark next weekend.
NEC: Do you have any goals, in terms of specific times or heights, you would like to reach by the end of this year? Long term goals you would like to reach by the time you leave Monmouth?
AH: My main goal is to make it to nationals in both the winter and the spring. I’d like to reach 21 feet in the long jump and run a sub fourteen-second time in the 100 hurdles outdoors. I’d like to break some NEC records by the time I leave Monmouth.
NEC: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
AH: Definitely my parents. We’ve been going through some hard times lately as a family and track has been kind of an outlet for them, as well as for myself. I really like doing well for them - it gives me extra motivation when I’m competing.
NEC: Do you have any personal pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
AH: I have to be wearing all spandex before the meet, including my spandex Under Armour shirt and pants, and it has to be all black. Also, I have to shower right before the competition; I can’t shower the night before. I don’t really know why. I guess it makes me feel more prepared.
NEC: Where can you be found the night before a big meet? Does Monmouth have any team rituals in preparation for competition?
AH: I can usually just be found in my room trying to get myself mentally prepared. I try to be off my feet, in bed getting a good night rest. As a team, we don’t really have any rituals.
AH: I have to be wearing all spandex before the meet, including my spandex Under Armour shirt and pants, and it has to be all black. Also, I have to shower right before the competition; I can’t shower the night before. I don’t really know why. I guess it makes me feel more prepared.
NEC: Where can you be found the night before a big meet? Does Monmouth have any team rituals in preparation for competition?
AH: I can usually just be found in my room trying to get myself mentally prepared. I try to be off my feet, in bed getting a good night rest. As a team, we don’t really have any rituals.
NEC: What is the best thing about being a student-athlete at Monmouth?
AH: I love getting to know everyone on the team. There’s always someone new to talk to at practice. Also, being an athlete gives me a release from all the stress of schoolwork. I’m able to come to track and run it out before returning to my work.
AH: I love getting to know everyone on the team. There’s always someone new to talk to at practice. Also, being an athlete gives me a release from all the stress of schoolwork. I’m able to come to track and run it out before returning to my work.
NEC: Which actress would play Ashley Huffman in the Ashley Huffman story?
AH: That’s a tough question! I would have to say Angelina Jolie, because I wish I could look like her.
- Interview conducted by Danielle Vento, NEC Administrative Intern
