Year: Senior
Major: Therapeutic Recreation
Sport: Women’s Track
FP: How long have you been running track, and what made you want to do it in the first place?
Hattie: I started running track in the 4th grade with an after-school program. I soon realized that I was pretty fast, and enjoyed getting the little ribbons if you won. I stuck with it and it really has grown on me from there. I think that I really decided track was my sport in high school.
FP: Since you run so many different events-hurdles, sprints, jumps and relays- each with their own special difficulty, which one do you love to do the most?
Hattie: I really love the hurdles, hurdles are an event that I put most of my practice time towards, and it is really paying off this year.
FP: Would you say you’ve been practicing harder and more focused than previous years?
Hattie: I think that my work ethic is different this year. I started training this summer, and have been weightlifting religiously. I’m doing everything right this year.
FP: How do you feel the track program is put together here at USM?
Hattie: In my personal opinion, the track program is excellent here. There are great coaches, one of the best facilities in New England, and great athletes?for both men’s and women’s teams. The track program is great but no one really knows because we don’t get the publicity the other sports do at all. The women’s track team has won the conferences for the past nine years, and no one knows. We have been fighting a sport battle for years.
FP: How does that make you feel when you don’t get the recognition that you deserve?
Hattie: It’s frustrating sometimes,?but we live with it. It’s getting better though. We’ll just keep winning like we have been without a fuss.
FP: What are some of your hobbies outside of track and field?
Hattie: I really enjoy being outdoors, watching movies, hanging out with Andy (my boyfriend), eating out, and traveling.
FP: Is there anything that you hate about running track and field?
Hattie: If I hated anything about track, I probably wouldn’t do it. But I suppose if I have to name something it would be the wear and tear on the body.
FP: Is there anything you want USM to know about the “real” Hattie Landry?
Hattie: That it’s been a long hard road and I have worked hard to get where I am today, athletically, academically, and personally. Say hi to me-I won’t bite.