March 2, 2012

Stanford sophomore Kori Carter is in the middle of another fantastic season for the Cardinal track and field team. She already holds every Stanford hurdling record and recently won the MPSF title in the 60-meter hurdles. Just a sophomore, Carter is next hoping to make an impact on the national scene. As a freshman, Carter qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in both the 100- and 400-meter hurdles. The Claremont, Calif., native took a few minutes to speak with gostanford.com.

GoStanford.com: How did you first get involved in track and field? And how did you settle on sprinting and specifically the hurdles?

Carter: When I was little I pretty much played every sport imaginable. I got tired of softball because it was way too slow of a game for me, so my dad thought that I should try track. Since I played so many sports, I thought I would be the next Jackie Joyner-Kersey and be a hepthalete. However, I found myself wanting to practice hurdles more and more and the other events less and less. Not to mention I discovered the horrors of the 800, which made falling in the love with the hurdles that much easier.

GoStanford.com: You were one of the top recruits in the nation, what made you choose Stanford?

Carter: Everyone already knows that Stanford is Utopia. It has the best of both worlds academically and athletically, so the choice was pretty much a no brainer.

GoStanford.com: You are in your second season now and already hold all of the Stanford hurdling records, what is the next step for you?

Carter: While obtaining the hurdling records was definitely a huge accomplishment for me, I feel as though I still haven't proven myself on a national level. Capturing some Pac-12 and National titles are my main goals right now.

GoStanford.com: What is your favorite event? It is unusual for someone to be so good at both the 100- and 400-meter hurdles. Will there be one event that you concentrate more on as you continue to develop?

Carter: Everyone asks me this question but I love both of the hurdle events because they each offer something different. The 100h are all about speed, technique and aggression. The 400h are about speed endurance, rhythm and heart. I guess if all of a sudden I drop some ridiculous time in one of the hurdles my fate will be chosen for me, but for now I'm just going to enjoy both of the races while I can.

GoStanford.com: What is your relationship with Katie Nelms like? You have both burst onto the hurdling scene for the Cardinal, but I understand you are also close off the track?

Carter: Katie and me are like Ying and Yang in pretty much everything, which is why I love her so much. It is such a blessing to have her to train with because everything I'm weak in she's strong and vice versa. Katie is also one of my best friends and I love that we can instantly go from an intense battle at practice to dancing and goofing around in our dorm room.

GoStanford.com: For those that haven't met you - you have a very friendly personality not afraid to show your affection and appreciation for others, where does that come from?

Carter: I've pretty much have always been like this - ask my parents. I'm just a people person with too much energy, which means everyone in sight gets a hug.

GoStanford.com: What is something unique that Stanford fans don't know about you?

Carter: I have a very active and crazy imagination. So when I run I like to think that I'm my alternate personality KoriMonster. She's a lot meaner and beastlier than my super friendly, normal personality.