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For your California Prep Track & Field Needs
7/29/00 USATF Junior Olympics Interviews
Monique Henderson - from the JO's to the Big Olympics Doug Speck
Monique Henderson and Father Adam
Monique Henderson (San Diego ML King Flyers TC) “From the Junior to the Real Olympics”
Monique Henderson wins Young Womens 200 Meters in USATF Junior Olympics 23.32 Divisional Record
There is one young lady at this weekend’s USATF Junior Olympics competition in Buffalo, New New walking around with a special bounce in her stride. While everyone else in this weekend’s competition has to look long and hard for a track and field meet after this weekend’s national finals, she is moving on to the “big Olympics,” the one across the ocean in Sidney, Australia come September. Monique Henderson, a competitor in these competitions since age 9 made the big graduation this summer to the next level when she was informed this past Wednesday that she would be a part of the relay team pool for the Sidney Games off of her performance in the recent Olympic Trials, where she was a finalist and recorded three rounds of sub-52 second one lap running to back up her 50.74 National High School and Junior record from the early June California State Meet. Interestingly, Monique’s dad Adam answered the cell phone in their rental car on the ride from the airport here in Buffalo on Wednesday and was informed by the Olympic team staff that his daughter would be a part of the Olympic team. Action in Buffalo for the National JO competition centered around the Young Women’s 200 where Henderson added another record to her collection with a blazing 23.32 run. The poised Henderson gathered her sweats and took the time to talk to the press shortly after that Saturday morning competition. Father Adam was along as the gathering was held under the stadium bleachers in a press room. Initial questions concerned what it felt like to be a part of the Olympic team, with the young star replying, “It felt great to finally be placed on the team for sure.” These Junior Olympics have certainly laid a groundwork for the star, as she indicated, “Since age nine I have competed in these championships, and it has really helped me to deal with pressure along the way. The travel and national level competition forces one to deal with nervousness and facing top competition while relaxing. I have learned to accept most races at any level as just another competition.” Monique was the World Youth (under 18) Champion last summer in Poland, the first ever of those competitions, with comments that, “the three rounds in Poland for the World Youth Meet was very similar to the Olympic Trials, and it prepared me very well for that meet in Sacramento.” Of the finals race in Sacramento, where she finished eighth, she stated, “I went into the race having run a time that led me to believe that I could compete with the athletes in the field and make the team. I went out slower than I wanted to in the race and was a bit farther back than I wanted to be.” When asked about academics at her Morse High School in San Diego, Monique came forth with an impressive background. “I have numerous AP, Honors, and Advanced courses, with a 4.0 GPA the first semester of my junior year. I closed out my eleventh grade with a 3.89 GPA. School is part of the challenges I face with the sacrifices, desire for excellence, and organization required of a good student an important part of my life.” Monique does compete for her school’s Cross-Country team, and comments on that sport, “I do race in our school’s cross-country races and I think my best time is in the low 17 minutes for the 2.6 mile distance we run in our San Diego area. I have run the sport since the ninth grade. It is a difficult sport, but it really helps you to get in shape for track.” Monique’s dad Adam added, “Cross-Country is very important from the mental toughness aspect.” Daughter replied with, “One of the goals in Cross-Country on the tough courses is to not stop and walk. There are some challenging courses out there!” When asked of any advice she would give to the young athletes at this meet, Monique said, “I would tell them to work hard and that nothing is achieved easily. Look at me, as I have been here since age nine and am on the Olympic team now at age 17!” There is a family history in the sport, with Henderson having two older sisters who have preceded her in their running careers. “My oldest sister was a good runner, and so my dad started an age-group team, the ML King Blasters, back in 1987. I used to visit at the practices, and at age six I started to run with that track team.” Olympic level athletes have been an inspiration and added advice along the way. Monique indicated, “I met Marion (Jones) and have talked with her on the phone. Inger Miller pressed for my involvement on the 4x400 relay team. Maurice Greene talked to me at the Trials and wished me good luck. I am becoming used to being around those top level Olympic athletes.” There was a winter dinner in San Diego where Monique sat and talked with Gail Devers. Monique summarized their conversation: “When Gail was told by someone I had run 51.96 for 400 meters and was qualified for the Olympic Trials she came over and talked to me about attending that competition. When I told her that I was not planning to she pulled me aside and gave me a pretty intense speech about how important that experience would be in my development. My plan was to pass this time and go in four years. While I indicated to Gail after talk that I still did not plan to compete in Sacramento, she did give me some things to think about. My plan was to wait until 2004 when I will be a junior in college and could take care of myself in situations like the Olympic Games. At my stage my parents kind of still need to be along to keep track of things, so that was part of my reason to pass this time. However, when I ran 50.74 in the California State Meet many people impressed upon us how I could make the team and it started to change my mind. I only wished to go to the Trials if there was a realistic chance to make the team (an area dad chimed in with agreement on).” A career that has featured little “down-time” with serious injury was commented on by the star. “I have had no major injuries. I drink plenty of water, I work on my flexibility, and cross-country helps the body be in great shape. I do get massages.” Father Adam commented, “We do not compete when we are injured, and I think this has been a way to stay away from serious problems.” When asked about some generalities of her training preparation Monique said, “I spend five days a week on the track, and do weights, which we cut off one or two weeks before the big races each spring or summer. I do some hills and stairs, but cut that off during the winter. My running is 200’s, 300’s, and 150’s, with pushups and situps in the way of other exercises. I am lucky in the diet area because I like foods that are healthy for you. I am not a fan of red meat. I like baked chicken, and drink water instead of sodas. My one weakness is ice cream. I gave up ice cream until the state meet, then gave it up for the Olympic Trials. Now I have until the Olympics to wait, and it will probably be a long time before I enjoy some ice cream.” When asked what were the keys that have kept her running together, the Olympian added, “My dad and Coach MacDonald work together very well on my preparation. Having a father who is also a track coach is interesting. Since age six we have learned to balance out the track at the school and father at home issues.” Monique responded to comments comparing her career at this stage to Marion, who qualified for the 1992 team in the same relay pool situation (400 meter relay team distance) by stating, “I think it is great to be compared to Marion Jones. She is a wonderful person, and I feel honored to be included in the same group as her.” As one who has had the time to spend some time around the young San Diego area star, one left this short time with the sport’s latest great young star with a warm and confident feeling as we look down the track to this and future seasons. As they say, “Monique is the real deal!”
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