December 4, 2009

PREVIEWING THE INDOOR SEASON WITH COACH RILEY

RICHMOND, Va. – With the start of the indoor track & field season just hours away, VCUathletics.com sat down with women's Head Coach Jon Riley to get an inside look into this year's squad.

VCUathletics.com: What’s the goals for the team heading into the indoor season?

Head Coach Jon Riley: We will want to get a good foundation for our athletes and focus on technical qualities in all of our events.

VCUathletics.com: How does your and your coaching staff approach the indoor season?

JR: We will use the first two meets for teaching and training as we get back from a long Christmas Break. After that, we will focus on overall performance. My belief is if we focus on performance goals (techinical aspects) then our outcome goals, such as NCAA and ECAC qualifying marks) will be within reach. A solid indoor season will set us up for a great outdoor season.

VCUathletics.com: What's the most difficult transition between indoor and outdoor seasons?

JR: I wouldn't categorize the transition as being difficult. Indoor has a controlled environment with a smaller 200m track. Outdoor, the weather is unpredictable but my coaching staff and I are knowledgeable enough to make the proper adjustments regardless of the conditions.

VCUathletics.com: You're into year two now as a complete staff, how will you guys approach this year opposed to last year?

JR: Last year, we came in and knew very little about the athletes and their injuries which plagued most of them and made it difficult to focus on training. This year, we are on the same page with the weight and training rooms. We can focus on teaching and utilize the talent we have. We know their strengths and weaknesses so our training is tailored to making them better competitors this year.

VCUathletics.com: It was one of the best recruiting classes that VCU has had in a long time if not ever this year, what do you expect from your newcomers this year?

JR: I expect the newcomers will do well on the track, but what's really important is that they learn how to be really good student athletes on the college level. I want the freshman to develop at their own pace, just like last year's freshman. They have a few more years ahead of them and there is no need to rush them along. Patience is the key when you have a young group like this.

VCUathletics.com: Who do you guys look to be the leaders of your team this year?

JR: We only have 3 seniors (Karise [Baxter], Whitney [Key], and Sernarra [Archie]) and they have stepped up to provide our young freshman and sophomores the necessary leadership. Stephanie and Allison keep us on the ball with all our community service requirements and Quina has shown a great deal of leadership with the way she has handled fall training.

VCUathletics.com: What is the event you look to and say "we definitely have points there"?

JR: The 200m will be our strongest event followed by the jumps and throws. We plan to score in every event at our outdoor conference meet.

VCUathletics.com: Lastly, which athletes do you think may be "sleepers" this year, may surprise some people?

JR: We have quite a few sleepers. Stephanie Newing has worked hard in the off season and I expect her to catch some folks by surprise. Coach Allyson [Thomas] is doing a wonderful job with her. Ariana Jones, Nicole Walters with our mid distance group are going to shock some folks as Coach Tussing is getting them ready. Also in Coach [Ethan] Tussing's group is shot putter Jessica Williams. We expect her to be a contender and shock a few people as well. Rounding out our sleepers will be Sophomore's Jazlynn Finney, and Rachel Montague and Senior Whitney Key. I think those three will really shock some folks this year.