Quick Chat: Kaila Jackson
May 21, 2024 | Track & Field, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Before Kaila Jackson steps into the starting blocks, the Georgia sprinter runs the race in her head really quickly. Given how fast she is, she could mentally run it in real time, and it still wouldn't take very long. After that, once the starter has everyone lined up, Jackson said all of her training and instincts take over.
Earlier this year, at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Jackson was the runner-up in the 60-meter final, and she tied her school-record time of 7.07 seconds during the prelims. She also placed fourth in the 200 at Indoors, earning All-America honors in both events.
At the SEC Championships earlier this month, Jackson placed second in the 100 with a school-record time of 10.95 seconds. She also came in fifth in the 200 with the fourth-fastest time (22.38) in school history. Jackson's quest for an NCAA Outdoor title begins this week at the East Prelims, in Lexington, Ky. Jackson will run the 100 and 200 at the prelims, as well as the 4x100 relay.
During a recent Quick Chat, the sophomore sprinter from Redford, Mich., talked about her process during a race, how she's spending her free time now that spring semester is over, and much more. Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: What does it feel like to be a student-athlete when there is no school to worry about for a little while? Is being here and going through your day a very different thing?
Jackson: It is. We get to completely focus on track, school is not in the way, and we're not stressing over a test or anything. It's good to be able to just focus on one thing for a while.
Frierson: What are you doing with your free time?
Jackson: Usually just catching up on sleep. Practice is early, at 9:30 (a.m.), and I get the rest of the day off. I'll either spend it with teammates or sleep [laughs]. I'm still figuring out what to do, but I do have that feeling like I should be doing something with my time.
Frierson: When you're in the starting blocks, what are you thinking about? Is it anything specific each time? And what about once the race begins?
Jackson: Usually, right before the blocks when I'm just standing, I run through my race in my head really quickly. And as soon as they say "On your mark," my mind just goes blank. I really don't think of anything or hear anything besides the starter.
Frierson: During the race, are you thinking about much then? Are you aware of what's happening on either side of you?
Jackson: I don't usually think of anything during the race, but if it's a really big, competitive race, I will feel them on my side. I try to run my own race. The minute I start thinking about other people, it just throws me completely off.
Frierson: Is there an event in track and field that you wish you could do well? Or is there an event that you are very thankful you don't have to do?
Jackson: I would say the pole vault. It looks so dangerous and scary. I would want to be able to do it, but it seems so hard [laughs]. It's very scary.
Frierson: Is there another sport at Georgia that you would play if given the opportunity or ability?
Jackson: I'd probably do volleyball. I grew up doing volleyball and my parents were coaches, so I really love volleyball. I played in high school until my junior year, and then I stopped to focus on track.
Frierson: Because track events other than the relays are very individual, do you miss being out on the court with your volleyball teammates? That feels like a much different sports experience.
Jackson: I do sometimes, but I do also like that even though in the end track is a team sport, I get to do things by myself and run my own events.
Frierson: When it comes to food, do you have a guilty pleasure?
Jackson: It would probably be fried chicken [laughs]. I've been trying not to eat it as much, which I've been doing good at, but it's really hard. It's always so good.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Â
Staff Writer
Before Kaila Jackson steps into the starting blocks, the Georgia sprinter runs the race in her head really quickly. Given how fast she is, she could mentally run it in real time, and it still wouldn't take very long. After that, once the starter has everyone lined up, Jackson said all of her training and instincts take over.
Earlier this year, at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Jackson was the runner-up in the 60-meter final, and she tied her school-record time of 7.07 seconds during the prelims. She also placed fourth in the 200 at Indoors, earning All-America honors in both events.
At the SEC Championships earlier this month, Jackson placed second in the 100 with a school-record time of 10.95 seconds. She also came in fifth in the 200 with the fourth-fastest time (22.38) in school history. Jackson's quest for an NCAA Outdoor title begins this week at the East Prelims, in Lexington, Ky. Jackson will run the 100 and 200 at the prelims, as well as the 4x100 relay.
During a recent Quick Chat, the sophomore sprinter from Redford, Mich., talked about her process during a race, how she's spending her free time now that spring semester is over, and much more. Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: What does it feel like to be a student-athlete when there is no school to worry about for a little while? Is being here and going through your day a very different thing?
Jackson: It is. We get to completely focus on track, school is not in the way, and we're not stressing over a test or anything. It's good to be able to just focus on one thing for a while.
Frierson: What are you doing with your free time?
Jackson: Usually just catching up on sleep. Practice is early, at 9:30 (a.m.), and I get the rest of the day off. I'll either spend it with teammates or sleep [laughs]. I'm still figuring out what to do, but I do have that feeling like I should be doing something with my time.
Frierson: When you're in the starting blocks, what are you thinking about? Is it anything specific each time? And what about once the race begins?
Jackson: Usually, right before the blocks when I'm just standing, I run through my race in my head really quickly. And as soon as they say "On your mark," my mind just goes blank. I really don't think of anything or hear anything besides the starter.
Frierson: During the race, are you thinking about much then? Are you aware of what's happening on either side of you?
Jackson: I don't usually think of anything during the race, but if it's a really big, competitive race, I will feel them on my side. I try to run my own race. The minute I start thinking about other people, it just throws me completely off.
Frierson: Is there an event in track and field that you wish you could do well? Or is there an event that you are very thankful you don't have to do?
Jackson: I would say the pole vault. It looks so dangerous and scary. I would want to be able to do it, but it seems so hard [laughs]. It's very scary.
Frierson: Is there another sport at Georgia that you would play if given the opportunity or ability?
Jackson: I'd probably do volleyball. I grew up doing volleyball and my parents were coaches, so I really love volleyball. I played in high school until my junior year, and then I stopped to focus on track.
Frierson: Because track events other than the relays are very individual, do you miss being out on the court with your volleyball teammates? That feels like a much different sports experience.
Jackson: I do sometimes, but I do also like that even though in the end track is a team sport, I get to do things by myself and run my own events.
Frierson: When it comes to food, do you have a guilty pleasure?
Jackson: It would probably be fried chicken [laughs]. I've been trying not to eat it as much, which I've been doing good at, but it's really hard. It's always so good.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.Â
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Players Mentioned
Sprints
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