Cepeda will work on events such as the pole vault to score even more points (UNI Media Relations)

1. Congratulations on your personal-best tally of 5,906 points in the Heptathlon this past weekend. Now that you've punched your ticket to compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships, does the pressure of having that qualifier in your back pocket help relieve any pressure for the rest of the season?

Well, having that qualifier was the No. 1 thing to do thing on my list for this season. It does take some pressure off of my back, so now I can focus on the NCAA Indoor Championships.

2. What events will you be focusing on now as the Missouri Valley Conference Championships are just a few weeks away?

I will probably pole vault at every meet as usual, but usually I leave all those decisions up to my coach, Travis Geopfert.

3. You've come a long way in many of the events, such as the hurdles, where you clocked 8.06 seconds to set a personal-best. What do you attribute to your success in these events where you know it's important to all come together in the Heptathlon?

I definitely credit our great coaching staff, Doug Case, Travis Geopfert, Renetta Seiler, and Chris Bucknam. Those coaches have helped me and carried me along way since my freshman year of college.

4. Earning All-American honors in the Decathlon the past two years, what are your expectations for the outdoor season in the event?

I would like to keep improving in my events like I have been, obviously, but it's always been my goal to win the indoor and outdoor NCAA championships. Of course, I'd like to do well at the Olympic Trials and hopefully make the team.

5. Originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, what led you to enroll at Northern Iowa? Were you confident that you could score over 7,000 points in the Decathlon during your freshman season?

Coach Geopfert saw me at the senior spotlight all start meet that they hold every year, and he saw some potential in me. Starting out, I had no idea what a good point total was my freshman year, but I knew it was a good thing to score over 7,000 points.

6. As you noted earlier, I'm sure the U.S. Olympic Trials are on your mind which is just a few weeks after the NCAA Outdoor Championships conclude. How will you handle the two-week period between competitions since they are both at such a high level?

Really, I will handle the competition no differently than I do now. Coach Geopfert has me on a specific training regimen that keeps me on pace, and that will get me ready for the Trials and the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

7. Considering all of your success during your collegiate career so far, what are some of the most challenging obstacles that you've had to overcome?

The mental game during some meets is challenging, staying focused on the task at hand and not letting the pressures of other people's expectations get to me.

8. Who are some of the people that you've looked up to? Any athletes that you admire in the sport?

My good friend Jonathan Wiggins has always been there for me in times of need and my mother, father, and sister have always steered me down the right path, as well. They make sure I get things done and stay out of trouble.

9. Training for the multi-events is obviously time consuming to any student-athlete. How do you find time to fit in everything during your busy schedule?

It is a busy schedule, but it’s not really hard if you plan everything out well. I schedule my classes in the morning, then I practice in the afternoon, and then I have time to eat dinner and study until about midnight.

10. What the best part of being a student-athlete at Northern Iowa? How do you like to spend your free time?

Traveling to different states and competing in big competition against big schools is probably the best part of competing for UNI. I spend my free time studying, playing Nintendo Wii and hanging out with my friends.