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Athlete Interview - Morganne Hill of LibertyPublished by
Today we catch up with Morganne Hill, a Junior hurdler from Liberty High School in Bakersfield. Morganne was the Central Section champion in both the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles last spring, and was a state finalist in both events as well. She ended the season with PRs of 14.14 for the 100 hurdles and 42.43 over the 300 hurdles, and was the #3 sophomore in the nation at season’s end.
In addition to both hurdles events, Morganne has elite marks in the 200 (25.50), 400 (56.99), and 800 (2:19.33). She also competes in cross country in the off season, and led her team at the State Cross Country championships in the fall where she ran a solid 19:17 on the Woodward Park course.
Morganne’s season has gotten off to a very strong start this year with the fastest 300 hurdles mark in the state (42.94) and a 14.54 in the 100 hurdles as well. We can look forward to seeing Morganne take on the best in California (and the Nation) in both hurdles events at the Arcadia Invitational in April.
Scott Joerger (SJ): You have had a great start to your track season with a 42.94 state leader in the 300H, plus a solid 14.54 in the 100H. What did you do in the off season to get you off to such a great start?
Morganne Hill (MH): I competed in the Cross Country season which gave me a great base for my 300s as well as my 800 being it gave me great endurance. I trained daily in the gym with a weightlifting system my coach recommended as well as some long distance runs here and there.
SJ: Tell us about your strength and conditioning training.
MH: Weight training helps significantly with my strength both on the track and in the weight room. Conditioning consists of more sets of short distances (i.e. 10 200s) but this is usually pre-season conditioning workouts.
SJ: You ran cross country last year, and in fact, led your team to a spot at the state cross country championships. Tell us about that experience? How does cross country help you with your hurdling?
MH: Cross Country honestly isn’t the greatest of experiences for me but I know the mileage does good for my legs in preparing me for races that require it in track and field. For example, in the 300s, the mind set you get in Cross Country laces into the mindset I need to stay strong throughout the 300 hurdles that require a great amount of speed, strength and endurance. SJ: Though you were a state finalist in both the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, you also have elite marks in the 200, 400, and 800. Do you consider yourself primarily a hurdler?
MH: Yes, I do consider myself a hurdler primarily. However, other events like the 400 and 800 are close secondary events. My coach wanted to try me out in an open 200 this year to put me up against some tough competition to see how my time would turn out.
SJ: You were a state finalist in both the 100 hurdle and 300 hurdles. What’s your favorite event and why?
MH: I’m going to have to favor the 300s because it’s more my taste in races. The distance is ideal for the type of athlete I am. The height of the hurdles makes the hurdle easier to glide over as well as the distance in between each one, I get advantages in both of these areas. The 100s are great because its very repetitive and fast and I love the intensity of them.
SJ: What are your goals for this track season?
MH: I am hoping for higher ranks in both the Arcadia and State Track Meets.
SJ: What is a typical training week like for you?
MH: Mondays and Wednesdays are hard workout then hitting the weight room, Tuesdays and Thursdays are my favorite (hurdling days) or Event Day as coach calls it. Fridays will vary but most often it is a semi-hard workout.
SJ: What is your hardest workout?
MH: I try to make every workout the hardest otherwise it isn’t really a workout but if I had to choose one I would definitely go with the 5,4,3 which is a 500, 400 and a 300 all at race pace and it can get competitive.
SJ: Who has had the most influence on your running career so far?
MH: My coach, Coach Renz. He was a complete star in high school and I really respect a former hurdler. He is incredibly easy to get along with and I enjoy training with him every day because he is one of the greatest coaches out there. He knows how badly I love to win and he uses my competitive side to train to my potential.
SJ: What do you like to do outside of track and field?
MH: Relaaaaax and eat! Track and field takes a toll on an athletes body so the second my season ends I binge on any fast food I can get my hands on for some time. Just to contradict that I also enjoy going to the gym to make myself feel better about all the the calories I had gorged on.
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