An interview with YSU track anf field standout Aaliyah Gillespie

By: Nijma Awadallah

Posted: 2/10/05

As part of the 2003-04 Horizon League indoor/outdoor champions, Senior Aaliyah Gillespie has been a motivating asset to the team. Aaliyah, the Arabic word meaning "highest" suits her well as she continues to shatter records, including her current record time with 8.71 in the 60 m hurdles. She said she dreams to start a fitness facility to help kids share the importance of sports, which she feels has allowed her to be able to enjoy the success she is enjoying today.

Recently a Jambar reporter sat down with Aaliyah as she spoke of her experience with the Penguins.

J: Where are you from?
G: I am from Cleveland, Ohio

J: Who would you say was the biggest influence in your life?
G: The biggest influence would probably be my mom.

J: Why would you say she was the biggest influence?
G: Because even in high school she always buckled down on me. She wanted to make sure that track wasn't everything in my life and make sure that I was well rounded and she kept me in focus, school everything, made sure everything was a focal point and not just track.

J. When did you start running track?
G: Seventh grade I ran track, then eighth grade we had volleyball, basketball and track and I played all three, but the best was track no matter what. I enjoyed it the most. When I was little I could beat my brother I was like, "whoa I got it, I guess I could be some kind of good!"

J: This is your last year, how's it feel being a senior?
G: It's kind of nervous a little bit, but it's kind of good too because this is the highlight of my career and I want to be the best. Everything built up to this, when I was in high school my coach said that I was going to have a great collegiate career. So now I am seeing what it's all about.

J: Could you talk about your experience with the Penguins?
G: Over all it's been good, I had a little injury here and there, but everybody helped through everything, whenever I needed anything they gave it to me or helped me work to get it. My teammates are the greatest, it's like a big family and that's all about running track.

J: Is there a team ritual you guys usually do before a meet? A motto of some sort?
G: Not really. Our coaches try to pump us up, we are a team but we try to focus before an event so we warm up and stretch and listen to our headphones and get focused.

J: What song do you usually listen to, to get you into focus?
G: I could be a variety of songs, but its like what ever gets me focus so its probably one of the songs that makes me feel like I'm the best, so I could get psychologically ready. Last meet I was listening to Lil' Scruffy.

J: Anything you want to say to your teammates?
G: I just want to say that everyone has potential, and we could actually dominate the Horizon League Championships for the next years. Everybody has to give their all. Even when they're feeling down, pick themselves up and keep going. And mainly to, Danielle [Bolt] she's like my little sister, she's grown a lot and I know with any challenge that she faces she could overcome it.

J: 8.71 is your current breaking time in the 60 m hurdles at Bowling Green, how does that make you feel?
G: It feels great because I know I am getting better. It's something in me that I know I am achieving, really one of my goals is to win every meet, so it still feels great. I know I'm still doing something right, my coaches are doing something right.

J: What is your favorite color?
G: Blue

J: Favorite movie?
G: "Love and Basketball"

J: What CD do you have in your CD player?
G: Destiny's child; Bad Habit.

Call Nijma Awadallah at (330) 941- 1913