Clinton TC (MS)

Team Website / NTN Profile

Top Athletes: Ericka Robinson (jumps), Cortni Cooper (sprints), Carrie Lynn McCormick (pole vault), Kim Montgomery (throws), Audrey Neeld (hurdles), Akendra Lewis (sprints) and Jordan Hester (distances).

Team Strengths: Ericka Robinson is the leader of this squad, posting up the biggest performances throughout the year.  Robinson will certainly be their leader in the field events, where she looks to challenge for top finishes in the high jump and long jump.  Outside of Robinson, Clinton has plenty of other areas where they can sneak up and surprise.  This squad is playing the ultimate underdog role, which they are embracing and are excited for the challenge of facing other top teams.

Key to Success: Obviously, Robinson plays an instrumental role in if this squad can challenge for top 12.  If she can score big points in her two events, this squad is off to a great start.  Thrower Kim Montgomery has big potential in both the shot put and discus, while a few feet on the discus and a few inches in the shot put towards new PRs would go a long way. 

Q&A with Coach Jim Harrison

NTN: You are coming in to Nike Track Nationals as the representative of the South.  What does it mean for your program to be heading to the inaugural NTN?

Jim Harrison (JH): Our team is extremely honored by the privilege of representing our community, the state of Mississippi and the South Region.  We feel very humbled that we will be representing the South given the number of quality programs throughout the Southern Region.

NTN: Ericka Robinson seems to be one of the leaders of the team, performing very well in the jumps.  What has Ericka meant to the team this year, both competing and as a leader?

JH: Ericka has demonstrated her athletic abilities and value to our team through her consistent performances in her events.  As a result of her dedication to our track program, she has been a 2-time state champion in the long jump, a member of the 2-time state champion 4x200 relay team, a 2-time state high jump silver medalist and a state triple jump silver medalist while being named to the all-state track team the past 2 years. 

Her athletic accomplishments, in addition to her performance as a student in the classroom, has provided her the opportunity to continue her track & field pursuits at Mississippi State University next year.

NTN: What has your squad done since the Mississippi State meet to prepare for the July 2 event?

JH: Our season ended on May 15th, when we finished as state runner-ups at the MHSAA State Track & Field Meet.  Fortunately, some of our athletes have been actively involved in other summer strength and conditioning programs as they prepare for a variety of fall sporting activities.  Thankfully their coaches allowed them to participate in their event-specific training exercises since being notified of our selection to compete at the Nike Track Nationals.

NTN: Coming in as a bit of an underdog, what are the team's goals for Nike Track Nationals?  Are you embracing the underdog role?

JH: We don't mind being labeled as the underdog; we think it allows to us to be more relaxed and enjoy the overall experience that Nike is providing for us. There won't be any added pressure that comes with being a highly ranked team, so our goal is to stay loose, be competitive and earn the right to hopefully be named National Champions.  We are extremely proud of what our team has been able to accomplish this year.  Going forward, we will have reason to have higher expectations and standards of excellence for our program.

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