Name: Carter Duff
School: Hancock High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A:Workout.
100 air squats
100 push ups
Core - crunch, scissors, 6 inches 3 sets at 40 secs
MWF - distance = at least 2miles in these days
T Thur = speed = Tuesday measure out 10 x 4, 20x4, 30x3, 40x2, 50x1
Thursday = 50x4, 100x3
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I am weight lifting in my home, while focusing on academics through school on my computer.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race during my track career was the district tournament. Our biggest rival at the time was Biloxi and they were supposed to blow us out of the water with their 4x800 times. We overheard their team trash talking us saying, "That's an easy dub, we are going to beat Hancock no problem". This motivated us. The race was tight, but on my leg of the race I gained a pretty big lead and got us the win at district. My most memorable moment was when one of our 4x800 team mates was getting stretched out on the ground before a south state meet, and a rival school was stretching while standing nearby and as he puts his foot down from stretching he spikes our teammate in the head severely. This put him out of the race and forced us to sub another runner in for him.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: The funniest thing I experienced in my running career was actually my first track meet ever. On my last lap of my 4x800 meter relay as soon as I handed the stick off to my partner I slipped on a railing surrounding the track as I was trying to get off the track and avoid oncoming runners. Long story short I busted my butt pretty hard in one of the biggest crowds of my high school career due to it being at USM. This was also all on film, so I have a constant reminder of this embarrassing yet funny moment.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: Last year I would have definitely said during our season the hardest competition we faced was Biloxi and Ocean Springs because they always put up a fight, but this year was different. After a long summer of weight lifting and a lot of pre-season work I gained speed and endurance like never before and our competition this year is slim. Every race in the 4x800 that I ran in we came in first place every time. This included against Ocean springs, Biloxi, Picayune, Gautier, and many more schools. I truly believe we worked hard enough to be the best in the south and as we remain undefeated I believe we would have won district this year and would've 100% gone to state.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment as of right now would be winning district in our 4x800 with my amazing and hard working team mates.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: I would have started sooner so I could be even more diverse. I have great stamina and after this year i've increased my speed so I would only change my time starting in the sport, but otherwise I am extremely happy where I am and couldn't have asked for a better experience
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: The hardest obstacles would have to be all the time spent practicing which I don't regret at all, but you have to give your 100% in this sport if u want to go anywhere so I had to sacrifice a lot of time and my social life during the season to practice every day after school while working my job all weekend. While the practices were very strenuous and hard the majority of the time, I couldn't thank my coach enough for showing me what I'm capable of and pushing my limits. I've built so much character from this sport and I couldn't be more thankful.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I will miss the adrenaline of stepping on the line, the feeling of the stick hitting your hand, the chase of catching up and passing opposing schools, the feeling of crossing the finish line knowing you did your part on the team, the look on coaches face when we place first, and most of all the memories shared with my great team of mine. One feeling I will miss the most is when your teammate hands the stick off to you and you have the mentality of, "it's game on". You then do what you have to do for your team and run to your absolute best ability.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: I would tell them that hard work truly does pay off and to cherish the moments they spend with their teammates, because that's your family and they will lead you to victory. I also carried with me throughout my high school career to stay modest and not trash talk. I would always shake all my opponents hands in my leg before I raced and wished them the best of luck. Being sportsmanlike goes a long way and has always helped me achieve my goals.
Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: My coach impacted the team extremely. Coach Underwood put so much time and effort into this sport for us and it always showed. He was there every day for guys and girls during preseason getting us conditioned to be the best we can be for the season and he pushed us to our limits almost every day at practice. I couldn't have asked for a better coach that loved the sport of track more. He showed me how far I can push myself and how to truly be the best at something. He always wanted to walk away with that district trophy and in the past we have always fallen short as a team as a whole to get it for him. This year we worked endlessly, with aches and pains coursing throughout our bodies every practice from endless training to achieve our goal and get that trophy for coach. Our team this year was well rounded and I truly believe if the season would have continued we would've won that trophy for him and the team. I am thankful for my coach and I will respect him forever for teaching me his ways. Because of him I grew into a better person and I couldn't be more thankful.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I always wanted a running scholarship for college, but the best option for me academically is to go to mgccc for two years and then to Mississippi state my last two years. I believe mgccc does not have a running program so that option is cut out for me.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I would like to thank the endless hard work of my fellow team, my coaches for their amazing dedication to us and the sport, my parents and close friends for supporting us and our meets, the other schools for showing me a great high school experience and always making me push my hardest, and to all the moms who supported our track team by providing equipment, food, and support every meet.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: I am going to miss everything about high school, especially my running career. It's been a great run and I couldnt thank God more for blessing me with my perfect team and coaching staff. I'll never forget the amazing experiences I had with this team and school. "Hawks on me, Hawks on 3, 1..2..3.. HAWKS!!"
Q: Favorite Meal?
A: My favorite meal is a medium well cheeseburger with bacon, american cheese/swiss cheese, lettuce, mayo, and ketchup with a sourdough bun. Side of pasta or macaroni. Water as the drink. And either warm chocolate chip cookies or brownies for dessert.
Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: I would be an eagle because they are fast, mind their own business, fly, and their america's bird so they are just a majestic animal in general.
Q: Your favorite superhero?
A: My favorite superhero is Batman.