Summer Q&A: Kimmie Conner

There were many reasons  for the success of the Dana Hills Dolphins girls' track and field team in 2009.

However, if there was one athlete  that could be identified as the cornerstone of a Dolphin team that claimed their  second straight Orange County and South Coast League titles, while beginning  and ending the season as the top ranked team in the county, it would be no  other than incoming senior Kimmie Conner.

Throughout the season, Conner  proved to be the county's standard for versatility. She competed  regularly in multiple events per meet and enjoyed a high level of success in  all, validating a difficult training schedule by winning the heptathlon title  at the Arcadia Invitational and dual titles in the 100 hurdles and long jump at  the Orange County Championships and the 100 hurdles and the high jump at the  South Coast League Finals.

And though her Dana Hills track and  field season is over, Conner will remain busy this summer. She is currently  training to compete in the heptathlon competition at the U.S. World Youth Track  and Field Trials on June 30-July 1st at Eastern Michigan University. There she will try to earn a spot on the U.S. team in the  IAAF World Youth Championships on July 8th-12th in  Bressanone, Italy.

In a recent interview, Conner  discussed what she learned from her successful 2009 season, the formula for  success for herself and her Dolphins teammates next season, and her method of  unwinding from the rigors of a demanding training regime and competition  schedule.

OCVarsity.comYou had quite a spectacular season  in many different regards in 2009. What did you learn from the success you  enjoyed?

Conner:Whenever I do something right or  have a good day, I just try to remember at the next meet what I did and what it  felt like, so that I can repeat it, and have the same success over and over  again.

OCVarsity.com One attribute that you are commonly noted for  is your versatility and the ability to do well in some many different events.  To hear your name mentioned in that light, how does that speak for your  training and preparation?

Conner: To be versatile, you can't really focus on  just one thing. At practice, I would have certain days to train for certain  events. I felt that it took me longer to peak because I had to work on  everything while some people could work on just one thing.  But I eventually got there when I needed to  get there, which was good for me.

OCVarsity.comIn talking to Coach Crane, he  highlighted you  being a leader and a big reason for the success that the  team was able to have in 2009. To hear those words from your coach, how does  that make you feel?

Conner: It makes me feel happy to know that I can do  that for my team. We all had off days and I just tried to be there to pick up  extra points for my teammates and be strong for them.

OCVarsity.com Looking ahead toward next season, what is the  mindset of the team as they look to continue the success the program has  enjoyed the last couple of seasons?

Conner: I think if we get our younger people focused  and confident, we can continue to achieve what we've been achieving. We have a  lot of talent and great coaches.

OCVarsity.com Individually, what is it going to take for you  to surpass what you did in 2009?

Conner: I think it's more mental. You have to believe  you can do it. It also comes down to training and getting stronger.  

OCVarsity.com What is your summer schedule looking like?

Conner: I'm actually flying out on the 28th  of this month to compete in the USTAF World Youth Trials. Should I qualify  there, I would go to Italy to compete in the IAAF World Youth Championships for  the USA team. My goals are to improve in all my events from my previous  heptathlon which I think is reasonable.

OCVarsity.com Of all the different heptathlon events that  you compete in, which do you look forward to the most and which one would you  like to improve upon?

Conner: My favorite is the hurdles because I love how  technical it is and I feel like I can do well at technical things because I  learn quickly. The one thing that I would like to improve upon is the javelin.  I've been practicing every week and I think I've gotten a lot better since the  Arcadia Heptathlon and hope to show that at the Trials.

OCVarsity.com Obviously you are spending a good portion of  your summer training and competing, but what are some things that you do to  relax and enjoy yourself?

Conner: I definitely like going to the beach pretty  much every day with my friends. Just laying there, relaxing, and sitting in the  waves definitely helps take my mind off anything that is troubling it.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com