Recently we had a chance to speak with Long Island Indoor Track & Field standout Camilla Harris.  Harris, voted the Most Outstanding Performer at the 2002 NEC Championships, led the Blackbirds to their first conference track and field title of any kind. Long Island (128 pts.) bested second place UMBC (84 pts.) and third place Monmouth (77 pts.), capturing five individual events en-route to the crown.  Harris won the 60-meter hurdles title with a time of 8.74 and was victorious in the triple jump with a leap of 38’ 8 ¾”. The Pine Hill, NJ native entered the 2002 meet as the two-time defending long jump champion, but took second place with a leap of 17’ 11”.  Looking to meet or surpass last year’s standards, the senior opened up strong in 2002-03, winning the long jump with a leap of 18’ 3/4” at the Patch Track Meet on December 8. After breaking for the holidays, LIU returns to action this weekend before looking ahead to defending its title at the 2003 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championship in Landover, MD on February 15-16.

Name: Camilla Harris
School: Long Island
Sport: Women’s Indoor Track & Field
Year: Senior

Hometown: Pine Hill, New Jersey
High school: Overbrook
Major: Physical Education
Notable Award: 2002 NEC Most Outstanding Performer

Favorite TV show: Real World & Friends
Favorite Movie: Beauty & The Beast
Favorite Music: Pink
Hobbies: Reading
Favorite Class/Professor: Teaching and Learning/Prof. Bob Nathanson

NEC: Why did you choose to come to Long Island?
CH: I was being recruited for track. The fact that they had a great speed coach was very appealing. I really like the family atmosphere at LIU where everyone knows each other. 

NEC: What career do you wish to pursue after graduation?
CH: Teaching physical education and coaching high school track & field

NEC: What was it like to bring the NEC title to LIU for the first time ever in indoor track & field?
CH: It was exciting. The team was going through some personal problems at the time, so it was hard to focus. We devoted all our energy to winning and I was so proud of everyone for bringing it to LIU. It meant a lot to the team and myself.

NEC: Do you feel any additional pressure this year after having such a great season last year?
CH: Yes, a lot of pressure. We have even more talent on the team this year, but so does everyone else. Coming off the win in indoor we kind of lost focus for outdoor. We know other teams are coming after us, so we have to work extra hard.

NEC: With this being your last season, what are your goals?
CH: A repeat performance of last year with better times. I want to focus on the triple jump and hurdling and get to Nationals.

NEC: What will it take for LIU to repeat as NEC champs this year?
CH: We have to stack every event that we are in because we lack people in the field and long distance events. We are very young this year, but we cannot lose our focus. We have to take it one event at a time.

NEC: Who is your biggest competition at the Championships this year?
CH: Monmouth is talented and has a lot of heart. They always come out strong and so does UMBC. We will be fighting with both these teams up until the end.

NEC: How do you prepare individually and as a team for big meets?
CH: Individually I break down what I have to work on for each year. I focus on my strengths and weaknesses. During a meet I just have to relax, so I usually read while I wait. As a team we discuss the events and everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.

NEC: What is your role on the team?
CH: I am a team leader and teacher. I’m the motivator who cheers for everyone.  

NEC: Which teams do you look forward to competing against this year and why?
CH: I like to watch Monmouth. They always provide tough competition.

NEC: Where is your favorite place to compete?
CH: I like the Armory and Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, MD. 

NEC: Where is the toughest place to compete?
CH: Pratt and FDU have bad tracks. 

NEC: How long have you been participating in track & field?
CH: Since I was a freshman in high school.

NEC: How did you get started?
CH: I used to race all the boys when I was young and I was fast, so I thought I would do it in school. 

NEC: What was it like to be named Most Outstanding Performer at last year’s championship?
CH: I was surprised, but this was a goal of mine since sophomore year. I didn’t expect it and I actually forgot about the award when we were competing. I was grateful to everyone that recognized my talent.

NEC: Who are some people that have influenced you the most?
CH: At the professional level, Gale Deavers is a big influence on my track career. She fought through everything and won gold medals, so that gives me inspiration to do the same. 

NEC: As your collegiate career comes to an end, what have you learned from competing in track & field?
CH: I learned to be disciplined on and off the track. I also learned to work hard and do the little extra.

NEC: What’s the most important attribute a track & field athlete needs?
CH: Dedication is extremely important, especially at the collegiate level. A lot of time is devoted to the sport, so you can never lose focus.   

NEC: What is the most memorable moment in your athletic career?
CH: My most memorable moment was in high school during my senior year at the State Relay Races. I was a member of the shuttle hurdle relay team that came from behind to take first. We were in second to last place and I was the last leg of the relay. It was the best race of my life and the day that I was recruited to LIU.

- Interview conducted by Dawn Van Cleef, NEC Administrative Intern