Sims placed fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (Alex Moore)

1. Congratulations on your 14-foot clearance in the pole vault at the 2004 Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships. The mark also set an all-time MAC record as well. How did you feel heading into the weekend and after you set the record?

I definitely knew that I was physically prepared to jump high that weekend and knew that if I could get myself together mentally I would have a great performance.

2. With the NCAA Indoor Championships just a few days away, how are you preparing for the meet and what would you like to accomplish?

My primary focus for the next couple of days is to prepare myself mentally. Keeping a cool, calm, and confident head will be my keys to success at this meet. I would like to accomplish what any elite athlete at a high level competition wants to accomplish. A championship title. But championship titles are won with championship performances and I just hope to be able to compete at that level on that day.

3. Also a long jump and sprint specialist, you've been a part of the 4x100 meter relays for the Zips. How much of your focus has been on these events this season?

I have not spent much time with the long jump this year because it has been the cause of some of my nagging injuries, but I hope to get back into it this upcoming outdoor season. Running the relay receives little focus as I don't see myself ever becoming a world-class sprinter. But I do what is necessary to help the Zip's team score and if that means running the relay then that's what I'll do.

4. Akron has developed plenty of great pole vaulters in the past and present, including the male conference record holder, John Russell. How does Dennis Mitchell and the rest of the coaching staff help you all along the way where you want to be?

Dennis Mitchell is an amazing pole vault coach. He gives you everything you need to realize your true potential. He is also extremely knowledgeable and there is always something else to learn from him. High expectations are what really help me along the way. The coaches are always pushing me to the next level. They are never completely satisfied with any of my performances.

5. Have you thought about what you would like to do once your collegiate career is over in the pole vault and beyond?

I don't feel that I have had enough time to realize my full potential in the vault so I would like to continue competing post-collegiately.

6. What are some of the more important workouts that you do that takes you to that next level in competition?

I wouldn't say that there is any particular workout that takes me to the next level because it is a combination of all the workout we do. What really makes a difference is the attitude during the workout. I try to be the best at everything and I hate to lose even in workouts. So this strong competitive attitude is what really helps me at that next level.

7. When did you first get into vaulting and were you aware of how new the event was on the women's side?

I started vaulting my junior year of high school. This was also the first year they had girls pole vault in Virginia. We had an amazing track team that year including Sheena Johnson (collegiate record holder 400m hurdles). Anyways, we were determined to win a state title that year but my coach worried that some team would load the pole vault and gain an advantage over us. To keep this form happening my coach picked two of his most versatile athletes to represent us in the pole vault. I was one of those athletes. That year I finished 2nd at both the indoor and outdoor championships and haven't stopped vaulting since.

8. Describe your experience at the Pole Vault Summit held in Reno, Nevada earlier this season and what the festivities are like there.

Reno was a truly amazing experience and I have never been as excited about vaulting as I was while I was there. But this is kind of a soft subject for me because I never seem to perform well there. (No heighted 2 years in a row)

9. Looking ahead to the outdoor season, what are the plans for you when you will open up and the goals that you have overall?

My outdoor season will start slow since we have our first meet at Coastal Carolina one week after nationals. I don't really expect anything big at that meet. My ultimate goal for the season is to jump 14-8 the "A" standard for the Olympic trials.

10. How often does your family get to see you compete since you are originally from Virginia?

My family gets to see me compete at maybe one meet per year but I know that I have their support at every single one.

11. What are some of your additional interests outside of track & field?

What!? There are other things outside of track and field!