Sept. 28, 2010

Fairfax, Va. Cierra McGee made a name for herself last season at Mason after transferring from North Carolina the season before. McGee was the conference champion in the 200m, runner-up in the 400m and ran the second leg on both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays which claimed the CAA titles. The 4X400 relay time broke the conference record and also qualified them for the NCAA preliminary round. She qualified for the NCAA preliminary round and made it into the second round in the 400m running a season and personal best time of 53.38, which also made her #7 all-time on the George Mason women's top list. McGee also recorded a time of 23.60 in the 200m, making her #5 on the all-time list. Recently McGee took time to answer some questions about last year's season and the upcoming season for GoMason.com.

GoMason.com: Being a transfer student, what would you say was your biggest transition last year?

McGee: I would probably have to say getting on track as far as putting my class schedule together, finding work, and getting use to the changes.

GoMason.com: You ran numerous events for Mason last year, indoor and outdoor. Do you have a favorite event or events?

McGee: There has always been an internal/psychological battle with me on which event I would deem as my "favorite". I would have to say, the 400 and 200 are my favorites. I cannot do one without the other, so therefore I cannot pick one over the other! The 4 x 4 relay is very pleasing as well, but there is something about the 400 and 200 that my body just cannot get enough of.

GoMason.com: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment last season?

McGee: My biggest accomplishment last year was my strength; I became very strong, being able to close my races well, even if it seemed like I was in a bad spot. The training I endeavored really prepared me for my dreams, and because of that I accomplished them. I am not tired yet!

GoMason.com: What are your goals for this upcoming year?

McGee: My goals for this upcoming year is to get my body to the point where it feels little to no pain physically. The emotional and mental pain will always be there, but I can live with it. I also, of course, want to improve my times from last year and make it to Nationals since I missed it by one placement last outdoor season.

GoMason.com: Who would you say you look up to the most?

McGee: Hands down, I look up to myself and my coach. To others that may sound conceited or "cocky", but that would just be people misunderstanding me. I look up to myself because at the end of the day, all I have is me; me to push through the hard nights of studying, me to push through the tough workouts when I work out alone, and me to be proud of when I cross that finish line and have achieved yet another goal. Through it all, my coach is there supporting and keeping me grounded, as great coaches should.

GoMason.com: What does your typical off-season training consist of?

McGee: There is nothing "typical" to my off-season training honestly; it varies on numerous conditions. Sometimes I do things that consist of endurance, preparing me for the upcoming season, sometimes I do non-contact stuff, sometimes I simply just rest, and other times I do a mixture of things. It is basically up to my coach and what condition I am in after the season is over.

GoMason.com: Do you have any pre-event rituals?

McGee: There aren't any pre-event rituals for me. I just warm-up real good, no music or anything because there is no music when I am running, get hydrated, energized, and pray. Then I step on the line and give it all I have!

GoMason.com: What do you like to do in your free time?

McGee: On my free time I love to study, work, listen to music, sing, dance, and sleep.

GoMason.com: With a major in sociology, what are your plans for after you graduate?

McGee: I plan to continue my studies in graduate school, pursuing in a Master's Degree in Sociology, and either work with the Juvenile Court System or be an FBI Investigator. Either way, I plan on doing something that I love to do without too much emphasis on money.