Big River Interview: Andre' McDonald

Park Hill junior Andre' McDonald may very well be Missouri's top overall track and field athlete in 2007. He has already opened the season with a 7'0 high jump, a 47'4 triple jump and a blazing fast 14.36 in the 110 hurdles. This fast start comes after a full indoor season that culminated with a high jump victory at the nationally-renowned Simplot Games Pocatello, Idaho. Big River caught up with Andre' to talk about clearing seven feet, his goals for the outdoor season and how he got his start in track and field.

BR: Let's start off with this 7'0 high jump. Congrats on the big accomplishment and take us through the day, the conditions and the jump.

AM: Well it was real rainy at first and the turf was a little slippery so I was concerned about the runway. Coming in I had also had a little groin problem early in the week so I came in at 6'2. My goal was to go between 6'8 and 6'10 but I really wanted to break the school record which was 6'8. I cleared 6'2 on my first attempt then I cleared 6'4 then I skipped all the way to 6'9.5 and I cleared it on my first jump. Then I went to 6'11 and cleared that on my first jump. Then I was at 7'0 and at first it was a little intimidating because it was so high but I cleared it on my second attempt and I just stopped there.

BR: And what was your previous best?

AM: Indoors I had jumped 6'10 at the Simplot Games.

BR: Before we move on let me apologize for not including you in our 2007 Track Preview. We pretty much went by last year's State Results so we missed you as I understand you were injured at that time. What was the injury and how tough was it to have to sit out of your best events at the State Meet?

AM: It was real tough last year. I wanted to get out there and compete. The hip injury I had was diagnosed as apophysitis which is basically a problem with the growth plate in the hip. The muscle there was pulling away from the bone. It finally stopped this summer after nationals. It took six months though and I skipped football this year because of it.

BR: Well you are obviously back on top off your game now. As someone whose list of accomplishments includes being an AAU National Champion, a 19-time AAU National Medalist, and a Simplot Games Champion it is safe to say you have a lot of experience at big meets. How do those experiences help you?

AM: They're real important. It's all about going against the best people in the country. It will help colleges get a look at me as well. Basically competing against the best fuels my fire to be the best and to train to be the best.

BR: What about right now, in the early high school season, when you are competing at some of the smaller meets. How do you view these meets?

AM: I look at it this way; I'm always competing against myself. Even in a small meet I am always striving to do the best that I can.

BR: You've cleared seven feet in the high jump but you have great marks in a number of different events. What is your favorite event right now?

AM: I would say it's between the hurdles and the high jump. I guess right now I see myself going for it in the high jump after going seven feet. My goal this year is to break the State Record which is 7'3. If I can do that then the next step will be trying to qualify for the Olympic Trials and the "B" standard is 7'5.5 so I would try to get that next year and make it to the Trials.

BR: What about as you begin to think about college? You've tried the decathlon. Is that something you might do at the next level?

AM: Whenever I get to college I will most likely be a decathlete. Come this summer I'll be doing one again and I'd like to get 7,000 points. [Ed. note: Andre' won the AAU Junior Olympic Decathlon last summer with 6,027 point even with his injured hip!]

BR: Let's get back to this season for a second. What are your goals for this year's State Meet?

AM: At State I plan on doing the long jump, triple jump, high jump and 110 hurdles. My goal is to win them all. I'd like to go 48'-49' in the triple jump. I just went 47'4 last Friday which was a pr. In the long jump 24' is my goal. 13.8 is my goal in the 110's.

BR: What about someone who might be able to stop you?

AM: I already know Darius Walker is going to be real tough in the hurdles.

BR: Tell us how you got started in track and field?

AM: I started when I was eight years old. I was already in baseball but I had to choose between baseball and track. Once I tried track and realized I was good at it I chose track and went from there.

BR: How about someone you look up to in the professional ranks?

AM: Allen Johnson. Also Jamie Nieto. I met him at the KU Relays last year.

BR: Last question; what is your advice to young kids who might want to someday jump as high and run as fast as you?

AM: Just don't give up on your dreams and always keep working hard.

Thanks for a great interview Andre'. Best of Luck this season!!

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