Voices Of The Future -- U.S. Hurdler Shamier Little Focuses On The Details To Make A Big Splash

ByLYNN OLSZOWY
October 7, 2015, 11:47 AM

— -- If Texas A&M track and field sensation Shamier Little wins a gold medal at next summer's Olympics, she already knows what dance she'll break out in celebration: "the Harlem Shake," the 20-year-old said recently at Anderson Track and Field Complex in College Station.

With the way things have been going over the last two years for Little, there's a good chance she'll be showing off her moves in Rio.

Little has won back-to-back NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400-meter hurdles. In 2014, she was the first freshman to win the event in 12 years.

She went on to win the U.S. national championship with a time of 53.83 and earned a spot at the Pan American Games in Toronto, where she took home a gold medal. To end her summer, Little won silver at the world championships in Beijing.

Although her finishes are what stand out, one area of Little's training has paid big dividends: the focus she puts on her starts.

"My start is all about setting the race up," she said. "Every time we do a hurdle practice, I always make sure I'm getting a couple of starts going over the first hurdle just to get that pattern developed."

Little's attention to details extends to her nutrition as well. She typically begins her day with a breakfast of turkey bacon and eggs, and she has made an effort to cut back on what she calls her "cookie addiction."

"I try to make small changes like cooking instead of eating out," she added, a switch Little says helps her eat healthier and save money. She employs other strategies for eating right, like reducing the amount of soda she drinks and steering clear of greasy food. She also substitutes honey for sugar whenever she can.

Since Little's competition schedule starts in January with the indoor track season and goes straight through to the outdoor season, she knows she must take care of her body.

"Recovery is very important, especially during a collegiate season competing in the NCAA and SEC," she said. "The competition is tough every week, and there is a lot expected of you from yourself and coaches. So to compete the best you can, it's important to rest and recover after races and training especially." She relies on ice baths to do just that, and sees a chiropractor periodically.

With all of her success, expectations have become high for Little, but she's trained her mind to stay focused on the track.

"When I'm running, I remember everything that was taught to me in my training and just put that together and remain focused and strong while finishing the race," she said. "You have to be so aware of what you do right and wrong. You can't look to the coaches for all the answers because you are the one going through the motion. You can't finish a rep or a race, not knowing what was going on with your running mechanics. Being aware like that helps you become a way better athlete."

Part of Little's renown comes from the bright hair bows she wears in her races -- she sported a neon green one last season. She doesn't just wear them to make a fashion statement, though. She has her mom, Tiffany, in mind.

"When she's watching me on TV or online, she can see me better, especially if it's kind of grainy," Little said. "She just follows the bow around the track and that's how she keeps track of me."

The world might soon be following Little, as well, as she's poised to make her mark at the Rio Games.

"I just want to get there. That's the goal," said Little. "Once I get there, I'm sure that I'm going to have another goal."