Fofanah is an All-American in the 100 hurdles (Georgia Tech sports photo)

1. You earned an NCAA automatic qualifying and personal-best time of 8.04 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles at the Kentucky Invitational. With such a fast time to open your indoor season and your qualifying time behind you, how comfortable can you take the rest of the season?

I can’t be comfortable at all. There are an excellent group of hurdlers out there this year so I fully expect any performance I put up to be challenged. Every week is a new challenge and I set new goals for myself at practice and at meets. For example it could be my start or something technical I need to work on. Every little thing counts.

2. How did you train over the holiday break? What did some of the workouts consist of?

I didn’t train much over the break. I took about 10 days off after graduation and went home to my family. It gave me the chance to rest and recuperate physically and mentally. I came back from the break about a week earlier than we needed to so I could get back on track. The bulk of my work was done in the fall. This was the first year that I’ve been able to train the whole fall semester. In previous years injuries limited me to training just a few weeks before the start of the season. That meant that I’d have to run without a real base. We focused a lot on technical aspects, making my hurdle clearances more efficient, increasing foot speed and overall strength. We have an amazing strength coach in Scott McDonald.

3. Now in your senior season, what are some of your goals and expectations in 2008?

I definitely have the Nationals in my sights. I expect to run every race with every ounce of effort I have without leaving anything on the track. I expect to have fun doing it. Don’t take it too seriously because at the end of the day, it’s just a sport. I know that if I do, I’ll better myself every week even if just a little bit. As for goals, I believe those are personal. Very few people know my ultimate goal as a collegian this year. I really haven’t even discussed it with my Coach Nat Page. I started out way ahead of what I expected so I’ve had to re-evaluate them since Saturday but they’re always at the back of my mind when I step on the line.

4. As an All-American in the 100 meter hurdles last year, were you satisfied with your performances and what are some of the things you'd like to work on for this season?

I was very satisfied with how I finished up last year. I had to sit out the indoor season because injuries didn’t permit me to train until January and that made me appreciate the simple things like just being able to practice everyday. It hurt watching my teammates leave every weekend without me but I think it was a wake-up call. I’m working on focusing on just me. My race, my lane, nothing and no one else. I think it makes a huge difference.

5. After transferring to Georgia Tech from Pittsburgh during your sophomore year, was that an easy transition considering that you did not have to sit out a season?

Coach Page made it easy. This team made it easy. Everyone was really helpful and I fit right into the system. There were a few bumps here and there but it worked out much better that I’d expected.

6. Looking ahead to this summer, what are your plans for after Georgia Tech? How much are you looking forward to the African Championships?

I will represent my native Guinea which is located in West Africa. The African Championships are in Ethiopia May 1-5 so I’m looking forward to that. I attained the “A” standard at the Nationals last summer so Beijing is within my reach. I’m very excited about that.

7. With all the competition out there, what drives you to be your best each weekend?

I’ve just started to believe that the sky is the limit for me when it comes to what I can accomplish in this sport. My Coach always has and he’s finally gotten that across to me. I believe God has blessed me with a gift and I don’t want to waste it. I want to see where it’ll take me. Who knows where I’ll end up. Right now, I’m having a blast!

8. How do you like to spend your free time when you’re away from the track?

I love reading, shopping and lots of sleep! My friends and family mean the world to me so they’re always in my daily plans.

9. There has been discussion to raise the women's hurdles. Is this something that you would be in favor of exploring? What would be the benefits and/or drawbacks?

This may not be a fair question because I’m 5’10 but I’m for it. Haha. I think it would force the event to become more technical instead of speed oriented. Times may not necessarily be as fast though.

10. What's the best advice that you can give to any young athletes out there in your event? What have you learned the most during your collegiate career so far?

My advice is to stay strong. So many curveballs can get thrown your way and it’s easy to lose track. There have been many instances when I thought about quitting. I didn’t even want to come back this year after I graduated. One word describes everything college has taught me: PATIENCE. I’ve had to exercise it throughout but patience, hard work and faith always pay off.