Norman Grimes Makes Season Debut at Great Southwest!

Canyon's Norman Grimes is one of the world's top youth hurdlers.  Grimes prepares to kick off his senior season this weekend at the Great Southwest Classic Indoor Inv.

TX MileSplit:  This weekend, you are participating at the Great Southwest Classic Indooor Invitational. How does it feel to finally be making your season debut?

Norman:  It feels great to get back out on the track and break the monotony of training.  I'm just looking to improve my start and see where my strength stands in the 400m.

TX MileSplit:  Last year, you ran early and often.  Does it feel different to sit back and wait two months to open up this season?

Norman:  Yes, the goal was to extend the off season in order to get the most benefit possible going into the competitive season.

TX MileSplit:  Do you feel that running at many highly competitive national indoor meets last year prepared you for meets like Texas Relays, State, and the international meets you participated in?

Norman:  In a way, it prepared me mentally, getting my mind into competition mode.

Photo by: Getty Images

TX MileSplit:  Last year, you had a medical interruption mid-season.  What was that experience like?

Norman:  From a physical stand point, my appendectomy was a blessing in disguise.  It forced me to bring my training to a halt and allowed me to rest my legs.  Mentally, I was devastated.  I thought my season had ended and I would never accomplish that elusive state title.  However, after my two weeks I spent resting, I came out with a new attitude.  I began to work harder than I ever had before.  My focus narrowed on the goals I wanted to achieve.  That focus continued throughout the summer.

TX MileSplit:  Did the fitness that you worked for help you transition back into running, making it back in time for district and eventually winning state?

Norman:  The conditioning I had under me was enough to get me through the qualification rounds, but I knew that would not be enough for the state meet.  I began to run high paced aerobic workouts during the late season just to get back whatever I had lost in those two weeks I was absent.

TX MileSplit:  So, you won Gold at State, USA Youth Championships, IAAF World Championships, and the Pan Am Championships.  How many gold medals did you win last summer and where are those medals right now?

Norman:  My first gold medal for the 2015 summer season was in Havana, Cuba.  It was also my first time to run the 400 hurdles.  My second gold in the 400 hurdles was the USA Youth Championships, which qualified me for my first official USA team.  In Cali, Colombia, I took gold in the 400 hurdles as well as the mixed 4x00 relay.  I then closed my season with a double win in the 400 hurdles and the 4x400 relay in Alberta, Canada.  I had my world championship medals framed.  As for the others, I keep them in a shoe box under my bed.

TX MileSplit:  What was the experience like competing in Colombia and Canada?  What was the international travel and lodging like?  What was it like meeting and getting to know your new teammates? 

Norman:  The experience was unforgettable.  I traveled the world doing what I loved.  Many of the places I visited was a culture shock.  As US athletes, we were given nothing but the best.  All of our needs were accounted for.  I still keep up with my friends from the summer meets.

TX MileSplit:  Talk to us as a young man from West Texas who did some amazing things athletically around the world.  At the end of the season, when all was said and done, how did you feel about your season and all that you were able to accomplish and experience?

Norman:  My summer season opened many new doors for me.  It gave me a confidence in myself to go out and race the world.

TX MileSplit:  Clearly, you are one of the top youth hurdlers in the world and Texas also has Isaiah Lucas of Cy-Falls, who is another world class hurdler.  Talk to us about the state of hurdling in the state of Texas and how competitive it has been participating in the hurdle events the last several years.

Norman:  It is a known fact that Texas is the best track and field state in the USA.  Therefore, I am not surprised amazing hurdlers like Isaiah come out of Texas.  The stout competition in the hurdles pushes our times down therefore, year after year putting out national leading times.

TX MileSplit:  How did you get involved in track and field?  What was it that let you know you could run fast?

Norman:  Track has always been a part of my family, so it was inevitable that running would be my sport.  The first time I ran a 37 in the 300 hurdles, I realized if I worked hard my track career could really take off.

TX MileSplit:  You're a Texas Tech signee.  What was it that made Tech seem like the place to further your athletic and academic future?

Norman:  The Texas Panhandle is my home and I could never convince myself to leave my favorite state.  I chose Texas Tech based off of Coach Kittley's experience and success in coaching the 400 hurdles.

TX MileSplit:  Following an amazing season last year, what are your goals for this season?

Norman:  My goals for this season are to first break the 300H state and national high school record.  Then, I hope to get the A standard in the 400H and compete at the Olympic trials.  I also will be trying out for the World Juniors in Poland.

TX MileSplit:  If you were not a successful track and field athlete, what would be your back up plan?

Norman:  I am majoring in geology oil and gas at Texas Tech and hope to start my own business one day.

Photo by: Rob Hislop