Feb. 16, 2009

Senior hurdler Steven Rendall has hit eight IC4A qualifying marks in his 12 races during the current indoor season, including five gold medals in the 60 meter hurdle event. The Deptford, N.J., native took a few minutes out of his busy season to give faithful Explorer fans a glimpse into his track career.

When did you start running competitively?
In the third grade, so about 13 years ago.

What got you into it, especially that young?
My next oldest brother, who is six years older than me. I used to always go watch his meets. He also hurdled all through high school and I just wanted to do what he did.

Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played baseball in second grade, but I gave that up because we started track the next year. I also played basketball in grade school and some in high school. I played basketball for a year then I did cross-country, and I also swam.

Can you talk a little bit about your NCAA experience last year?
It was hot (in Florida) and it was awesome to be at that type of meet with national caliber athletes. It’s a whole different atmosphere on a whole different level. It’s a great experience.

What kinds of things do you do to prepare for a race? Do you have a pre-race regimen?
Nothing specific, except get a lot of rest and drink a lot of water the night before a race.

What do you do to warm-up?
Usually before a race I’ll go run for about 10 minutes. I also have a few drills that I run through, which take about a half hour.

What kind of training is involved in hurdling?
It’s basically training like a sprinter but you do have to hurdle too. My week is usually split between hurdling and sprinting. I also endurance train because I run the 400 hurdles during the outdoor season.

What would you say is the best advice you’ve received and who said it?
Probably my parents. They always told me that if I have to make a big decision, always do what I want to. Don’t let other people have any effect on your decision.

What are your personal goals for running this year?
To win the hurdles indoor and outdoor again.

Now that you’re a senior, is there anything you wish to say to those that are just starting?
Don’t let anything go by. You only have four years. Make every practice and race count.

Do you have any plans for after graduation?
I’m going to grad school for Communications. I might do some kind of theory research or public relations.

Why did you choose to come to La Salle?
I guess with the different coaches I talked with, Coach Torpey was the best. He was just natural and real to me. I thought it was the best fit.

What is the best class you’ve taken at La Salle?

Probably my Film as Art class or my Persuasion class that I had last semester. In movies you don’t always notice little things, so the Film as Art class showed how to break down a movie to realize more than you normally see watching it. I like the Persuasion one, because it’s all about how people think when they see things.

When you were 5 or 6 years old, what did you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to play in the NBA.

Steven Rendall and the rest of the Explorer track and field team heads to the University of Rhode Island for the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championships from Feb. 20-21.