University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: Kirby Lee
Getting to Know Breana Jemison
October 31, 2017 | Track & Field, Features
Redshirt senior Breana Jemison enters her first season as a thrower for the USC Trojans. Jemison recently transferred from UC Riverside where she was named a three-time Big West Track and Field Athlete of the Week. In 2016, she won the Big West Title and set the UC Riverside school record in the shot put with a PR of 56-11 (17.36m). She also earned second-team Indoor All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the shot put with a mark of 51-11.75 (15.84m). Check out the Q&A below to learn more about the senior transfer looking to make her mark as a Trojan.
Q: How have you embraced your role as the veteran on the team?
BJ: Definitely through the educational aspect. I feel like I've taken that role on if anyone needs help. I've been through the process already and been to nationals and things like that, so just kind of being the mama bear of the team.
Q: What's the transition of transferring from UC Riverside to USC been like?
BJ: It's been great. Coach Dan [Lange] is a great coach. We've been working on a lot of great things, building on my technique, taking away some things, and it's just been amazing. The facilities here are great. One thing that I really like is the John McKay Center. It's a great academic base and I can just sit there and get all my homework done. There's a lot of tutors and a lot of help and it's really great, especially being in a master's program.
Q: What made you want to transfer to USC?
BJ: Definitely Coach Dan. He's world renowned and a great coach. The facilities are great. USC had the academic program I wanted too, so that was a really big part of it.
Q: How did your time playing basketball help with your track and field skills?
BJ: Definitely the athleticism part. Just being agile on my feet and being able to incorporate quick turns in the ring, just like being on the basketball court and making quick movements. The hand-eye coordination as well has all contributed to my track athletic career.
Q: What inspired you to become a track and field athlete?
BJ: It was really my brothers and my high school coach. I actually didn't know anything about track, but when I was in seventh grade I went to the track at Carlsbad High School and watched my brother's practice and thought This is kind of cool. Then my track and field coach said to me, "Please check this out when you come to high school. You'll be totally fine. You'll have a bright future." After that it just took off.
Q: Why do you consider Serena Williams to be your sports hero?
BJ: I love her because she defies all stereotypes about women. She's such a great all-around athlete, not just in women's sports; in women and men's sports. She's killing it and always has a great, positive attitude. She's healthy and she encompasses all the things you want in a great athlete.
Q: Do you have any individual and team goals for the season?
BJ: Definitely. We are all on the mindset to be national champions. That's what I've always wanted to be. That's what I've always wanted to do in college. This year is the year that I'm going to pursue that and I hope to make that dream come true.
Q: Right now, you're studying to receive your master's degree in law. Is law enforcement a career you see yourself entering after graduation?
BJ: I actually did two years in a community service program at UC Riverside and I want to take that career and go with it. Here at USC, I'm interested more in the background of law. So, I did the physical part at UC Riverside and now it's time to learn the basics of where it all comes from and how it operates. From there, I want to be a chief of police someday.
Q: How have you balanced life as a student-athlete?
BJ: Definitely time management. I cannot stress that enough. Giving yourself enough time to get ready and also to practice, but then being able to turn off that mode and go into academics. You have to be really diligent and persistent and make sure that you're separating your time.
Q: Do you have any pre-competition rituals?
BJ: I have to get a good night's sleep before a competition. I drink 20 ounces of water before every meet because I like to be really hydrated because I get really loud and rambunctious during meets. I listen to Kendrick Lamar before; that's my jam. Other than that, I don't have any weird socks or anything like that. I just really get invested in the mode and then go for it.
Q: How have you embraced your role as the veteran on the team?
BJ: Definitely through the educational aspect. I feel like I've taken that role on if anyone needs help. I've been through the process already and been to nationals and things like that, so just kind of being the mama bear of the team.
Q: What's the transition of transferring from UC Riverside to USC been like?
BJ: It's been great. Coach Dan [Lange] is a great coach. We've been working on a lot of great things, building on my technique, taking away some things, and it's just been amazing. The facilities here are great. One thing that I really like is the John McKay Center. It's a great academic base and I can just sit there and get all my homework done. There's a lot of tutors and a lot of help and it's really great, especially being in a master's program.
Q: What made you want to transfer to USC?
BJ: Definitely Coach Dan. He's world renowned and a great coach. The facilities are great. USC had the academic program I wanted too, so that was a really big part of it.
Q: How did your time playing basketball help with your track and field skills?
BJ: Definitely the athleticism part. Just being agile on my feet and being able to incorporate quick turns in the ring, just like being on the basketball court and making quick movements. The hand-eye coordination as well has all contributed to my track athletic career.
Q: What inspired you to become a track and field athlete?
BJ: It was really my brothers and my high school coach. I actually didn't know anything about track, but when I was in seventh grade I went to the track at Carlsbad High School and watched my brother's practice and thought This is kind of cool. Then my track and field coach said to me, "Please check this out when you come to high school. You'll be totally fine. You'll have a bright future." After that it just took off.
Q: Why do you consider Serena Williams to be your sports hero?
BJ: I love her because she defies all stereotypes about women. She's such a great all-around athlete, not just in women's sports; in women and men's sports. She's killing it and always has a great, positive attitude. She's healthy and she encompasses all the things you want in a great athlete.
Q: Do you have any individual and team goals for the season?
BJ: Definitely. We are all on the mindset to be national champions. That's what I've always wanted to be. That's what I've always wanted to do in college. This year is the year that I'm going to pursue that and I hope to make that dream come true.
Q: Right now, you're studying to receive your master's degree in law. Is law enforcement a career you see yourself entering after graduation?
BJ: I actually did two years in a community service program at UC Riverside and I want to take that career and go with it. Here at USC, I'm interested more in the background of law. So, I did the physical part at UC Riverside and now it's time to learn the basics of where it all comes from and how it operates. From there, I want to be a chief of police someday.
Q: How have you balanced life as a student-athlete?
BJ: Definitely time management. I cannot stress that enough. Giving yourself enough time to get ready and also to practice, but then being able to turn off that mode and go into academics. You have to be really diligent and persistent and make sure that you're separating your time.
Q: Do you have any pre-competition rituals?
BJ: I have to get a good night's sleep before a competition. I drink 20 ounces of water before every meet because I like to be really hydrated because I get really loud and rambunctious during meets. I listen to Kendrick Lamar before; that's my jam. Other than that, I don't have any weird socks or anything like that. I just really get invested in the mode and then go for it.
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