Nov. 8, 2006

GoFrogs.com recently caught up with senior sprinter Deborah Jones. Jones, a native of Portland, Ore., won the 400 meters at the MWC Indoor Championships and was a member of the 4x400 relay team that earned All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships by placing seventh.

GoFrogs.com: How has practice been going so far?
Deborah Jones: It has been going pretty good because everyone is real committed and has a good attitude. Practice has been different this season because it started out a lot harder.

GF: How is it running for coach Darryl Anderson?
DJ: It has been incredible running for coach Anderson. He has done so much for our program and he really pays attention to details. It has been a great experience.

GF: What is your major?
DJ: Social work and communications

GF: What would you like to do after college?
DJ: I want to go to graduate school and get my master's degree in social work. I am still undecided about where I want to work and I plan to have that figured out by the end of this year.

GF: You were part of the 4x400 relay team that earned All-America honors with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, how do you look to improve this season?
DJ: Everyone is back and healthy this season and we expect to perform very well. We are all excited to build on last season and run even faster times. Last year, we had a few lapses and it cost us at some meets, but this season everyone is really determined to do better.

GF: Now that you are an upperclassman do you look at yourself as more of leader on this team?
DJ: I do (look at myself as a leader). I'm not that little girl on the team anymore that is just following the upperclassmen around. The coaches see me as a leader and they come to me with questions. I enjoy being a leader and it really makes me feel like a senior.

GF: Outside of practice, competition and school, what are some hobbies you enjoy?
DJ: I am really so occupied by school and track that I don't really have any hobbies. When I do have down time, I just enjoy getting to relax by watch TV on my couch.