Oct. 21, 2005

FT. WORTH, Texas - In her first season of competition at TCU, sophomore Nathandra John made an immediate impact to the Horned Frog women's track and field team. John, who transferred from Paul Quinn College in January of 2005, garnered All-American honors after finishing sixth at the NCAA Regionals to advance to the NCAA National Championships for her first-ever trip.

A native of St. Kitts Nevis in the Carribean, John anchored the winning 4x400 relay team at the 2005 Conference USA Championships in May. In addition, she placed third in the 400 meters at the conference meet. For her efforts during the 2005 season, she picked up her first league recognition as C-USA Athlete of the Week.

Below are a list of questions and answers from John.

Q. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
A. Being able to finish my first semester at TCU with a 3.00 GPA and also contribute to the team's success is a big accomplishment for me. The balance is to be both a student and an athlete, not just one or the other.

Q. How did it feel to compete at the NCAA National Championships this past summer?
A. I was very excited and anxious at the same time. It was great to be there, competing against some of the best track athletes in the nation.

Q. What do you like best about TCU and Fort Worth, Texas?
A. I really like it here. TCU is a great school and the people here are nice, kind and polite. It's a lot like home (St. Kitts Nevis), except for the cold weather.

Q. Do you think there will be any differences between competing in Conference USA and the Mountain West Conference?
A. It was very competitive in Conference USA and I think the level of competition will be the same, if not higher, in the Mountain West. We proved ourselves to be a tough contender in C-USA and now we'll have to do the same in the new conference.

Q. What have your learned so far from head coach Darryl Anderson?
A. Coach Anderson has been a great coach. He encourages and pushes me to be a better athlete. He's teaching us to be well-rounded individuals, focusing on both academics as well as achieving team goals.

Q. What is the best advice someone has given you?
A. My mother told me to always fight with a lion's heart. Whenever I feel like I'm struggling during competition, I remember her advice.