Brittney Carter, Women's Track and Field Senior, Physiology
Westerville, Ohio
I WILL be successful
I WILL graduate from college
I WILL make it to Nationals again next year
Brittney Carter has already left an indelible mark on Capital's track and field team during her first three years in college. Her biggest feat came at the 2009 NCAA Track and Field Championships, where Carter was the lead leg of the 4X100 relay unit that finished third nationally, and set an Ohio Division III record (46.97 seconds) in the process. Carter talked with sports information assistant Bryan DeArdo about her career thus far, how she looks to be a leader on next year's team, and her love of family and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
BD: First off, talk about your experience at the 2009 NCAA track and field championships?
BC: It was my third time at the meet, but this was my favorite year because we finished 14th and eighth the last two times we were there. When we finished third this year, I was speechless. Coach Fred (Barends) told us we could be top three, but we didn't really see it, but once we did finished third, I couldn't believe it. We realized that hard work does pay off.
BD: Can you give me a play-by-play of the race from your vantage point?
BC: I'm the lead leg, so I knew that I had to rise to the pressure of starting out strong and getting us in a good position. The lead leg is perfect for me because I'd rather start a race than end it. I also knew I had to get a good handoff to Lizzy (Stanton). Ever since a handoff hurt us at Nationals my freshmen year, that focus has been there. Once I gave Lizzy a good handoff, I knew we were going to do great. Then I watched Lizzy handoff to Kwesi (Seabrook), then Kwesi to Jessica, who finished great and helped get us third place.
BD: What was more surprising: getting third place or breaking 47 seconds?
BC: They both were very surprising. I never would of thought that we could get third place overall. Coach said that is was going to be a slow track, so running under 47 seconds was going to be tough as well. But once we got third and I looked at our time, it was an amazing experience. That was one the most exciting days of my life. It was also great to send Lizzy out like that.
BD: Talking about Lizzy, what has she meant to you as a teammate and friend?
BC: When I came in as a freshman, she was already a leader, and she was only a sophomore. I wanted to be as good as her, so she really motivated me. She had some injury setbacks this year, but she stayed strong for us. I appreciate her a lot.
BD: What was the biggest difference between this year's 4X100 team and the 2008 unit that finished 8th?
BC: Kwesi has just stepped up a lot. She came in with no 100 experience, but we put her in there and she did great and really stepped up to the plate. I also think that Jessica and I have gotten stronger over the last three years at Capital.
BD: What have you learned over your career that has enabled you to get better?
BC: I made sure I get my rest, eat well, and drink plenty of fluids. One thing I learned this year was to try to be in the weight room so I could stay as strong as possible.
BD: Sophomore Desma Tripplett will replace Lizzy Stanton next year on the squad. Talk about her and how you think she'll fit on the 4X100 team?
BC: I think that if Desma puts her mind to it, she'll be a great replacement. If she believes in herself, I think she'll do great. We put her in the 4X100 for the OAC meet, and she ran really well.
BD: This will be your fourth year running with Jessica. What characteristics does she have that you think lead to her success?
BC: has so much determination. I've never run with a girl that's wanted to win as much as she does. I look up to her the most. She's an outstanding runner, and when she wants something, she gets it.
BD: What makes coach Fred Barends' coaching philosophy so successful?
BC: Overall, Fred is a great person. You can tell that he really cares about the team. He cares about the times and points too, but he really cares about our feelings, what we think, and our opinions. He backs away sometimes to let us figure out what our marks should be, and what we have to do. He does let us do what we have to do, and then he does his job, like giving feedback. Most importantly, he trusts us. If we bring up something that we think will help the team, he lets us try it out.
BD: Your high school, Westerville South, has a great football tradition, producing NFL players such as Kijana Carter, Andy Katzenmoyer, and Lance Moore (who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints). Does football play a role in your and your family's life?
BC: My family and I are definitely football people. My little brother Brent now plays for Saginaw Valley (in Michigan). I still have two other little brothers who play for Westerville South, so I still enjoy going to the games.
BD: Did you ever play backyard football with your brothers growing up?
BC: We would throw the ball around, but I tried to avoid the contact sports (laughs).
BD: Do you have a favorite NFL team?
BC: The Pittsburgh Steelers. My dad is from Pittsburgh, so he got my mom's side into them. My favorite all-time Steelers are Hines Ward and "The Bus", Jerome Bettis. My family throws parties for every game.
BD: Westerville is in the backyard of rival Otterbein College. Why did you decide to come to Capital?
BC: After looking at Capital's programs and talking with Fred, I realized that I could go to a great academic school and also be on a great track team.
BD: What's next for you after graduating from Capital?
BC: I'm definitely going to graduate school somewhere south, Tennessee or Atlanta. That is if I don't let my emotions get the better of me. I'm a big family person, so leaving the area would be hard.
BD: Being a family person, which family-oriented holiday do you enjoy the most: Thanksgiving or Christmas?
BC: Thanksgiving. There is food, family, and football, the three F's (laughs). It's just a great time to eat, sit and talk. Everyone is always busy at my house with school, work and sports, so it's a rare time for us all to sit back and enjoy each other's company.