Off the Track with Otis McDaniel
10/4/2006 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 4, 2006
GoFrogs.com recently checked in with junior sprinter Otis McDaniel. McDaniel, a native of San Antonio, Texas, is a member of the track and field team.
GoFrogs.com: How is it running for head coach Darryl Anderson?
Otis McDaniel: It is great. I've pretty much had the same style of coach since I started running, and his style is good for me. Coach Anderson is like a father figure to me and is kind of like my dad away from home.
GF: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
OM: One of my goals for this year is to win the 200 at the NCAAs. I'd also like to break the TCU and conference record in the 200, and run the 100 in 10.1 (seconds). In the 4x100, we'd like to run in under 39 seconds.
GF: Outside of practice, competition and school, what are some hobbies you enjoy?
OM: I like to work on my car and hang out with current and past members of the track team.
GF: What would you like to do after college?
OM: I would like to go pro in track if it works out. After running I'd also like to be a college track coach.
GF: Why did you choose to attend TCU?
OM: I chose TCU because of the football program and track program. I originally came to TCU on a football scholarship. I also liked the small class size and the size of the university.
GF: You won the 100 and 200 at the Mountain West Championships last season, how do you look to improve this year?
OM: I want to win both of them again and run faster. Last year, we ran it in altitude at BYU and everyone says you run faster in altitude, so I want to beat my times from last year. I also want to have faster times in regionals and at NCAAs.
GF: You assisted the television crew at the BYU - TCU football game, what was that experience like for you?
OM: It was an experience. It was my first time to be on the field not as a player. We had to lift and pull a lot of cables. We also had to make sure no one would step on the cables or get in the way when the cameramen were moving.
GF: Now that you are an upperclassman do you look at yourself as more of leader on this team?
OM: It is one of those positions because I don't think of myself as a leader, but I know I am one of the veterans on the team, so I need to be a leader. I've always thought that in order to be a leader, you have to learn how to follow too. I try to be a leader by pushing others to get better and leading by example.
