Kings' Slowik looking to state track meet
Kings record-holder in 100 and 200 meter dashes has experience on her side
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Emilee Slowik's résumé is quite impressive.
Prom queen. Football and basketball cheerleader. All-American and Cheerleader of Cheerleaders nomination. One-time Kings Firecracker. University of Kentucky-bound.
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And don't forget, Slowik is one of the best female athletes to walk the hallways at Kings High School.
Slowik, a senior sprinter, is a two-time Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal Division Athlete of the Year, and as the district meet kicked off Wednesday, May 21, she has her sights set on a second consecutive state appearance.
"She's a very fast girl, and she has good footspeed," Kings coach Jim Brant said. "She can get a lot faster. She is one of the top girls to go through here. She has the talent in her, that's for sure."
Slowik owns school records in the 100-meter and 200 dashes, as well as a member of the 400 and 800 relays in which she's ran the anchor leg the last three years.
Last year in Columbus, Slowik helped the 800 relay finish eighth, and also was 10th in the 200.
Slowik — who hopes to run for the Wildcats — recently took some time to chat with The Pulse-Journal.
On her mind set as a
sprinter: "It's different every time I race. It depends on if it's a big meet or a small meet. If it's a big meet, I try not to freak out. I get really nervous sometimes, and I'll hesitate in my blocks. I get in the blocks and get pumped up, do a practice run through, and that's when I know I'm ready to go. I'm nervous until the gun goes off, though."
On her goals this postseason: "I want to make it to state again. Basically that's what I'm working for. Last year, I forgot to sprint in the first 100, and I jogged because I was really nervous. This year I'll sprint the whole thing, and maybe make it to finals and be in the top eight."
On what she learned from last year's state meet: "All the girls are really fast, especially from Cleveland. I probably won't be (as nervous). After seeing things the first time, I've overcome my fear."
On how cheerleading helps her in track: "It's probably made me a little more flexible, which is really good for a sprinter. From my tumbling, it gives you the strength in your legs and helps your twitch muscles."
On her progression the last four years: "My times have gotten a lot faster. As a freshman, I was running a 28 (in the 200), and last year at regionals and state I was running 24s. The 100 is a lot harder to improve on. In eighth grade, it was a 12.9, and last year I got a 12.1."
On running at UK: "It's going to be really hard, especially because it's the SEC, and you're running against all the Florida teams and the people down South. It will get hard to get used to because the meets are three days long instead of a couple hours."
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.
