University Southern California Trojans
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Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Photo by: Kirby Lee
Getting To Know Dior Hall
November 09, 2017 | Track & Field, Features
Dior Hall is an indoor and outdoor All-American hurdler who holds the USC freshman and World Junior record of 12.74 [1.7+] in the 100m hurdles. She earned All-America honors in the 100m hurdles by placing seventh last season and third in the 2015 NCAA finals. Fully recovered from an ACL injury late in 2015, Hall is excited and has big plans for the upcoming season. Read on to find out more from Dior Hall.
Q: Why did you choose SC?
DH: When I first got here, it felt like home. Also, I knew SC was really good with academics and I knew that outside of track, it is important for me to have a degree and get a job. I decided to pick SC because it was one of the highest ranked schools on my list and I loved the track team.
Q: What about USC's track team appealed to you most?
DH: The team is very family oriented. I love Coach Caryl and she's my Godmother. I thought it would be great fit. I came from a track team that was very family oriented, so to be able to transfer that over to college was ideal for me.
Q: How do you think your first year on the track team went?
DH: I believe my first year was very good considering that I had a back injury mid-fall. Trying to come back from that and still have an indoor/outdoor season. I broke the World Junior time, so I was like "Oh, cool!"
Q: You have been able to recover from an ACL injury, how has your road to recovery been?
DH: I'm back to normal. My goal coming back from that injury, at first, was to try to make the Olympic Trials because I had a standard from the previous year. But the trainers and doctors cautioned me to take it slow because I could re-injure it, and that I had all the time in the world to get me back. Last year, was a way to get back to where I was before. This year, hopefully, I will have something big for everybody.
Q: You mentioned that Coach Caryl is your Godmother. How is running under her leadership and how has it changed your relationship?
DH: I love running under Coach Caryl. We have a really good relationship. We are able to separate godmother/goddaughter vs. coach/athlete. At first, it was hard because we'd never had that dynamic. But it has been a new experience and we manage it very well. I go to her when I need her to be aunty and when I need her to be coach and she's able to do both.
Q: What are your personal and team goals for the upcoming season?
DH: This year I would love for us to win national title, both indoor and outdoor because we've been so close. In indoor, the women only had five scoring opportunities and we got fourth, which is huge. Then we got third outdoor, so I think it's in our reach. We just have to keep pushing for it. Individually, I want to win a National championship for myself, so I can have two rings coming out my senior year. That would be really nice. If it is in God's plan, I would like to go pro.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
DH: My mom is my inspiration. She has been through a lot. I can't describe how big her faith is and I would love to just grow and be like her. She was also a great hurdler. I strive to be just like my mother.
Q: How do you stay focused before and during meets?
DH: I listen to music. It helps me calm my nerves because I get very anxious. Also, I try to have conversations with Anna [Cockrell] or Mecca [McGlaston] to keep me relaxed and laughing. I think I do best when I'm not so stressed. Laughing it up with Coach Hayes keeps me calm as well.
Q: If you were talking to a new recruit, what would you share them about joining USC track & field team?
DH: Know that if you were recruited to be here, you belong here. Don't ever doubt yourself or your abilities. Always buy into the program, because it is a very good program and it will get you to where you need to be. Don't be afraid to talk to the coaches when you have self-doubts, because that's what they are here for.
Q: Why did you choose SC?
DH: When I first got here, it felt like home. Also, I knew SC was really good with academics and I knew that outside of track, it is important for me to have a degree and get a job. I decided to pick SC because it was one of the highest ranked schools on my list and I loved the track team.
Q: What about USC's track team appealed to you most?
DH: The team is very family oriented. I love Coach Caryl and she's my Godmother. I thought it would be great fit. I came from a track team that was very family oriented, so to be able to transfer that over to college was ideal for me.
Q: How do you think your first year on the track team went?
DH: I believe my first year was very good considering that I had a back injury mid-fall. Trying to come back from that and still have an indoor/outdoor season. I broke the World Junior time, so I was like "Oh, cool!"
Q: You have been able to recover from an ACL injury, how has your road to recovery been?
DH: I'm back to normal. My goal coming back from that injury, at first, was to try to make the Olympic Trials because I had a standard from the previous year. But the trainers and doctors cautioned me to take it slow because I could re-injure it, and that I had all the time in the world to get me back. Last year, was a way to get back to where I was before. This year, hopefully, I will have something big for everybody.
Q: You mentioned that Coach Caryl is your Godmother. How is running under her leadership and how has it changed your relationship?
DH: I love running under Coach Caryl. We have a really good relationship. We are able to separate godmother/goddaughter vs. coach/athlete. At first, it was hard because we'd never had that dynamic. But it has been a new experience and we manage it very well. I go to her when I need her to be aunty and when I need her to be coach and she's able to do both.
Q: What are your personal and team goals for the upcoming season?
DH: This year I would love for us to win national title, both indoor and outdoor because we've been so close. In indoor, the women only had five scoring opportunities and we got fourth, which is huge. Then we got third outdoor, so I think it's in our reach. We just have to keep pushing for it. Individually, I want to win a National championship for myself, so I can have two rings coming out my senior year. That would be really nice. If it is in God's plan, I would like to go pro.
Q: Who is your inspiration?
DH: My mom is my inspiration. She has been through a lot. I can't describe how big her faith is and I would love to just grow and be like her. She was also a great hurdler. I strive to be just like my mother.
Q: How do you stay focused before and during meets?
DH: I listen to music. It helps me calm my nerves because I get very anxious. Also, I try to have conversations with Anna [Cockrell] or Mecca [McGlaston] to keep me relaxed and laughing. I think I do best when I'm not so stressed. Laughing it up with Coach Hayes keeps me calm as well.
Q: If you were talking to a new recruit, what would you share them about joining USC track & field team?
DH: Know that if you were recruited to be here, you belong here. Don't ever doubt yourself or your abilities. Always buy into the program, because it is a very good program and it will get you to where you need to be. Don't be afraid to talk to the coaches when you have self-doubts, because that's what they are here for.
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