Barriolhet claimed the Heptathlon at the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships (Kirby Lee)

How has your training been since your 7,828 tally at the Texas Relays back in April?

Basically, I've trying to keep a high volume of practice and at the same time, I'm doing a lot of technical workouts for every event. Also, I'm very focus in throws in general, hurdles, speed and pole vault.

As just a freshman, how has the adjustment been for you at Florida State as an international student-athlete from Chile?

It's been great; I haven't had a problem at all. We have a large variety of athletes from all around the world, so this makes the process of adaptation easier. Also, the coaching staff supports me and the entire athletic department makes it easier to combine studies and athletics. I'm very happy to be here and the important thing is that I'm enjoying it.

Head coach Bob Braman mentioned after your performance at the Texas Relays that you still have much more to show in the event. What events are you looking to score bigger points in this season?

That is true, but we have to consider that to do a perfect decathlon, with a PR in each event, is very difficult. I'm looking to score bigger in all three jumps that weren't that good at Texas, and the speed events as well, especially the 400 meters and the 100 meter dash. In comparison with my performance in Indoor Nationals, the decathlon at Texas was good but not what I wanted.

As the 2008 NCAA Indoor Champion in the Heptathlon, what did you learn the most from that experience?

I learned that if you are following a goal with hunger, nothing will stop you. I had a great performance at Indoor Nationals because I was focused on what I was doing and I was confident. Also, I learned to trust my coaches 100 percent, especially Coach Nobles.

Does your home country have trials for the Olympic Games or do you just have to meet the IAAF standards to qualify?

In Chile, we don't have Olympic Trials because there are few athletes that are able to make to big meets like Olympic Games, World Championships, etc. For this reason, all we have to make is just the IAAF "B" standards and I achieved that in Texas so I already have my tickets.

Break down a typical training week for you. On what days do you usually focus on each event and combine each into one day?

I am working with three coaches for every area of track: Coach Nobles (main coach and jumps), Coach Harnden (speed and hurdles) and Coach Meaders (throws), so I have a practice schedule based on decathlon competition trying to imitate the decathlon event. We practice technical events like pole vault twice a week, and the throws three times a week. I usually compete every weekend and treat them like workouts where I do two or three events per meet.

Originally from Santiago, Chile, how did the recruiting process go for you and what stood out about Florida State among some of the other programs across the country?

I can say that I recruited myself in Florida State. I emailed Bob Braman saying that I wanted to study at FSU, so I purchased tickets to Tallahassee and I competed at FSU Relays. He was really pleased with my performance at the meet and basically accepted me after that meet.

The decathlon is an event that you don't get to compete in too often simply because of the toll it can take on your body. How do you manage to keep your body in top shape while also training it to be explosive in each event during competition?

The best practice is to compete. Unfortunately, as a decathlete, I don't have the chance to do one every weekend, so I try to compete a lot in open meets. I usually compete in two or three events per meet so that will increase my explosiveness on a peak level. The difficult issue is to be on your peak at the correct time, and that is the coach's job.

You must be pleased with the direction of your season so far. What were some of your goals heading into this season and what are some of your long-term goals in your event?

I am very pleased so far. The long term goal is an Olympic medal in London 2012, I have 4 years to practice hard and I believe I won't be there just to participate, I'll be there to compete for the medal.

Trying to stay ahead of the curve is crucial in any event. With the coaching staff at Florida State, how have they molded you into the athlete you are today to help raise your expectations?

I believe that you have to make your own expectations. However, they are encouraging me all time and they know that I will achieve everything I want. That's why I think we have the best coaching staff in the country.

How do you enjoy spending your free time away from the stress of being a student-athlete?

I am enjoying everything that I'm doing here, however, free time is essentially and is a distraction for me from all concerns and it is what keeps me on the track.