Big River Interview: Maurice Mitchell

Raytown South sophomore Maurice Mitchell enters the 2006 Missouri State Meet as one of the favorites in the 100 and
200 meter dashes where he will go head-to-head with defending champion Paul Chaney from SLUH. Like Chaney,
Mitchell will also anchor his squad's 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays. The meet could very well come down to that 4x4
on Saturday and Mitchell thinks he and his teammates are up for the challenge. Big River caught up with Maurice on
Wednesday night, less than 48 hours before the fun begins.

BR: You seemed to have a nice day at Sectionals with wins the 100 and 200. How did you feel about your
performances?

MM: I felt really good. I wanted to run faster in the 100, but I kind of shut it down at the end and still ran 10.6. In
the 200 I had kind of a slow time. It was really hot and I was kind of tired and ran 21.7. My PR is 21 flat, hand timed.

BR: What is your 100 PR?

MM: I ran 10.5 automatic timed at districts.

BR: Do you go into State with particular times in mind or are you just concerned with place?

MM: If I just go out and run hard I know the times will be there. I know Paul Chaney is going to push me to run fast
so I know the times will be fast.

BR: Being just a sophomore and running these fast times is really incredible. How long have you been running track?

MM: I started running when I was eight years old. My cousin talked me into it. At first I was like, 'Man I don't want to
run track' but once I started I started running fast and beating people so I liked it. [Ed. note- Being fast "runs" in the
family as Mitchell's sister Aisha is a star at Oral Roberts University where she was recently named the conference
outdoor track athlete of the year.]

BR: What club do you run for in Kansas City in the offseason?

MM: I run for the KC Sprinters Elite. We have a bunch of fast guys that train together and run fast.

BR: The focus now is obviously on your Raytown South squad. Do you guys have a score in mind that you think it
will take to win the meet?

MM: We're going to have to score 80 or so points. We can win State, but there are other good teams like SLUH and
Lee's Summit North in there too. We just have to go out there and run our best.

BR: Remind us what events you will be running?

MM: I am running the 100 and 200 and I am the anchor for the 4x2 and 4x4.

BR: Out of those four if you had to pick a favorite what would it be?

MM: I like the 100 best. It is so quick and you get to just use your power.

BR: As a fan I could see the meet coming down to the 4x4 to decide the team title. Tell us how special it would be for
you guys to win that 4x4 to close out the meet?

MM: It would be really special to me. My older brother [Mark Mitchell] brings it to me and I know he is going to give it
everything. We also have our hurdler Andrew McDowell who split 47 this year and a senior, Loverr Thomason, who is going to run well also. We really have some heart.

BR: You mentioned earlier that the heat bothered you at Sectional. The forecast is for a hot State Meet. How do you
plan on dealing with the heat?

MM: I'm going to get through it. I know it's supposed to be like 90 but I'll just make sure I drink a lot of water and
gatorade.

BR: Any last thoughts before the Meet begins?

MM: We just want to come in and run our best, do our thing. Get through with no false starts, no injuries and get
rest.

Maurice, thanks for a great interview and best of luck to you and your team this weekend!