Shamier Little wins the US Junior National 400H title earlier this month (Milesplit file photo)
Ascending from the bottom of the scrap heap to the top of the mountain is usually a slow grind that most superstar athletes take. Back in 2010 at the Midwest Prep Invite in Indianapolis, Evanston High School girls coach Fenton Gunter was asked a question at the end of the meet about the then freshman Shamier Little: “hey coach who is that girl [Shamier] Little from [Chicago] Lindblom?” Coach Gunter responded: “shoot I don’t know. I was going to ask you… she is a bad girl.”
2010 was just the beginning of the thunderstorm that would come later for Little. Little quickly built her running portfolio statewide that included winning an epic four gold medals at the Illinois- two included the insane back to back 400m and 400m Hurdles with insane times. Little won the Penn Relays and represented the United States in the 2012 Junior World Championships.
Little would later move on to Texas A&M University and immediately made a name on the collegiate level. Shamier placed second in the NCAA Indoor 400m followed by a 400H title outdoors. She recently won the US Junior National title in the 400H (55.43) and will represent her country in the junior worlds next week.
Shamier recently took some time out of her busy schedule to let us know how her first year of college went and to share some personal moments in her life.
You had a great freshman year that many long time champions and veteran athletes would have killed for. How would you rate your introductory season?
SL: It was beyond what I expected. I didn’t think that I would contribute to the team as much as I did my freshman year here at A&M. I didn’t realize how important of a member I was to this team until nationals. I thought that I would be thrown in the [4x4] relay every once in a while, and that my hurdling would have carried me as far as nationals, and possibly the finals. Making it to the finals in both the relay and the 400 hurdles, and actually winning the hurdles, is a mind blowing accomplishment.
When we talked during the first semester, you indicated that adjusting away from your family and friends in Chicago went ok. How were you able to focus on the tasks at hand in College Station once the season began?
SL: It wasn’t hard to focus on the season once it started. Being a freshman here was exciting. I was excited to be a part of the team, and to train with coach [Vince] Anderson because it was all very new to me. The closest that I ever came to being a part of a team was the time I went to nationals with the Zephyrs Track Club, and I loved that. I love my team they pretty much keep me happy and busy, and they look after me; they’re like my family away from my family and I think that is a good thing.
It is well known that you are a social butterfly on twitter. But how did you do in the classroom overall for the school year?
SL: I’m the complete opposite in the classroom. I did pretty well. My first semester was rocky but I got back on top of things during second semester. I didn’t struggle with the workload, but I admit that I tend to let some of everything distract me from what I am supposed to be doing.
Your first indoor season appeared to go better than the form charts predicted (Track & Field News as an example). How were able to perform so well for your team?
It was from the support and the training. I try to imagine what my season would have gone like, had I chosen one of my other four schools, and I don’t think that it would have gone this well. The combination of love and support from the coaches, athletic staff and fellow teammates is unmatched by ANY school.
Many fans were thinking you could be a better 400m runner than a 400m Hurdler after a smoking performance at indoor nationals. What are your thoughts about that?
I guess because I have not been on the 400 hurdling scene since the Penn Relays, and I haven’t actually done well since 2012 when I ran my fastest time to qualify for the world junior team, that people would think that I am a better 400m runner. I am actually a better 400m runner than 400m hurdler if you look at the times that I have run. Based on how I place at meets, it would seem to be the opposite, but it is not.
You won the NCAA 400H title and then you take the US Junior National title but barely against a 14 year old high school freshman. Was there any doubt or fear going through your mind that you were in danger?
SL: There is always doubt and fear when I am competing. I don’t think that I could ever go into a race fully confident about winning because ANYTHING could happen. You could put me in the hurdle race with a bunch of elementary school kids, and I will find something to worry about. I was expected to place, or win at world juniors in Spain, and I hit a hurdle and fell. I knew that the competing high school freshman was going to give not only me, but the entire field a challenge. I admit that I was worried about her, but it is like all my worries disappear when the gun goes off. They may appear again when I’m reaching the 8th and 9th hurdle, but it isn’t so much as worry about the competition, but more worry about what could happen to take me out the competition. I try to focus on the race and not falling…if that makes sense.
Heading into the Junior Worlds next week, you have one goal of course... what is it?
SL: To get a personal record and even if I don’t PR, just to have fun and know that I gave it everything I have. It’s the last meet of the season- my last world juniors. I have to go out with some type of bang that I am proud of. I don’t care how anyone else feels about my performance.
Any thoughts linger in your head when you crashed to the track in the 2012 Junior World 400H final on the final hurdle?
SL: That thought always lingers. If you ever see me stuttering to a hurdle, just know that I’m trying with all my might not to fall. I know that they are going to bring it up, and it doesn’t bother me. I have another shot at it, and I hope that I don’t mess it up.
Shamier and her loving mother Tiffany Mayfield
Your mother is your biggest fan... I know she sent you some great cooking. What was it?
SL: My mom sent me car packages during finals week. I haven't had a home cooked meal in ages. But I'm just as good as her in the kitchen.
What? You can roll with your mother? Like in what?
SL: Lol. I think I make better lasagna than her. My mom has me on cube steak; she's a little more patient when it comes to cooking than I am.
What are your thoughts of all the violence back in your hometown of Chicago?
SL: I think the violence is crazy. I don't fully understand it because I'm not there, but I really hope it doesn't get anyone I know caught up. I don't know how I would handle death- especially being so far from home.
What is the viewpoint out in Texas on it? For example, my niece in Miami is scared to come to Chicago because of the madness that she sees and hears on the news- portrayed by the media.
SL: Of course outsiders would think it’s bad in Chicago. Outsiders think every city is bad because they don't truly know what is going on. But media does a lot more highlighting the bad [areas] than the good. I thought the housing projects were all bad and that it was a terrible place to love, but after reading books like "There are no children here" I got more of an inside look into it. The projects are still [suspect], but you kind of understand how things went around there and that there were good times and there were bad times. And it was more of a community than anything.
What images or words would you like to send your family and friends back in Chicago?
SL: I just want to let them know that I am thankful for the support, and I’m coming home SOON!
