Silan Ayyildiz, a sophomore at Oregon representing Turkey and an NCAA Division 1 championship meet qualifier in both indoor track and outdoor track last year for South Carolina, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing for the Ducks in the mile March 8-9 at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships at the TRACK at New Balance in Boston, Mass. Ayyildiz examines her health, fitness and energy this season in comparison to last year, when she raced at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships at the end of February, followed by a trip home in early March to compete at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul, before returning to participate at the Division 1 indoor championship meet in Albuquerque, N.M. She reflects on her fatigue last year following the travel schedule and applauds the courage this season of Harvard standout Maia Ramsden, who raced twice in the 1,500 meters and finished 10th in the March 3 final representing New Zealand at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, before returning to compete in multiple events in Boston. Ayyildiz speaks about the amazing support she has received from Oregon coaches Shalane Flanagan and Jerry Schumacher since arriving in Eugene, in addition to expressing gratitude for the opportunity to train with several exceptional teammates, including fellow Division 1 indoor mile qualifier Klaudia Kazimierska from Poland, as well as 3,000 finalist Maddy Elmore, in addition to Mia Barnett, Dalia Frias and Ella Nelson. She explains the confidence and belief she has gained from her workouts throughout the indoor season, and the reassurance from running 2:05.92 in the 800, 4:30.38 in the mile and 8:54.19 in the 3,000. Ayyildiz speaks about how beneficial it was for the Oregon student-athletes to compete Feb. 9-10 at the Eagle Elite Invitational at the TRACK at New Balance, and how valuable the opportunity was to become more familiar with the track and the facility prior to the Division 1 indoor championship meet. She shares how inspiring and motivating it is to be able to contribute team points for Oregon in the Ducks' pursuit of a women's team podium finish in Boston, in addition to her aspirations of becoming a first-team All-American for the first time in her collegiate career. Ayyildiz also looks ahead to competing in the 1,500 during the outdoor season and her desire to represent Turkey at the Paris Olympics during the summer.