https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hec5iP_eLMglghrfg6Xz_JI-ISBtZ-ZdVabzI-FMQnM/edit?usp=sharing

Get to know: Georgia sprinter Aaliyah Butler

By Laney Martin

Carmical Sports Media Institute

Georgia sophomore sprinter Aaliyah Butler is currently one of the fastest athletes in the world with a ranking of No. 3 in the 400m event with a time of 50.05. She has qualified for the Olympic trials and is also training to compete in the NCAA championship. Aaliyah sat down to talk about balancing school, Georgia track and preparing for meets on the world’s biggest stages.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Q: When do you think you started to take running seriously?

A: I would say my freshman year of high school. During middle school and elementary school, it was just for fun. And then I got into high school and wanted to go to college on a scholarship. So, it definitely got serious for me.

Q: Who was your biggest motivating factor growing up in the sport of track?

A: I’ll say growing up Sanya Richards-Ross because she’s from Florida and everybody always used to compare me to her. I was always looking at her races and stuff.

Q: Why did you choose to come to UGA, specifically?

A: Coach Caryl. I knew her from USC and how she built her team. So, when she came to Georgia, I was a little iffy because I didn't want to go to Georgia. I was looking forward to going to California. But she came to Georgia, and I took a visit, and I loved the campus and academics and her coaching and the staff.

Q: What is it like balancing track with school?

A: Yeah. It's kind of hard, when you keep getting homework and stuff, and then you have the travel and miss classes. It's kind of hard to do everything. But, most of the time, I try to keep a good balance to do my work and practice and try to get everything done ahead of time. So, I won’t have to worry about anything later on.

Q: You came so close to breaking the 50 second barrier. What was going through your mind when you saw the time flash up on the board?

A: At first, I was like, did I run 49? That's the only time that was on the board. And then when I saw 50, I was like, okay, good. It was good. I was so close, but I know in a few more weeks I’ll probably get 49.

Q: Do you train with Christopher Morales and how do you all support each other and members on the team?

A: So, girls and boys are separate, but we will see the boys practice sometimes and we will cheer them on during their workouts. We do the same workouts. So, we know what they're going through. So, we always try to encourage each other and help each other fight through the workouts and stuff.

Q: What are your favorite running shoes?

A: I only ever run in Nike. I did Adidas sometimes, but mostly Nikes. But my favorite has to be the max flies.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season?

A: Well, my goal is definitely to hit 49 and go to Nationals and try to win and then Olympic trials and try to make the team.

Q: How are you balancing training for the Olympic trials and the NCAA Championships coming up? And is there one that you're looking more forward to?

A: I’m looking forward to both of them but right now I am just focused on nationals. And my coach has a plan in making sure that I peak at the right time and not to be dead when it comes to the Olympic trials because that is at the end of everything and when I do make the team to be able to run at the Olympics and run pretty good there too.

Q: Especially for the 400 meters what goes through your mind with the pacing and everything?

A: I try to have good thoughts. I try to fight and not think about the pain. When I don't think about the pain, I hope I won't feel it, but I do feel it still. I just try to keep focused on my plan and execute really well and be able to finish strong.

Laney Martin is a student in the undergraduate sports media certificate program at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.