The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Call her a woman of destiny because it seems as if no matter how difficult the setbacks she encounters, Katrina Seymour is still able to accomplish her goals along the way.

From East Tennessee State University in her senior year, Seymour was able to close out her brief career as a Buccaneer with an appearance in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. She ended up eighth overall in the final of the women's 400 metre hurdles. But while it may have been disappointing for some, it was a triumph for Seymour.

"So far, it has been a season full of ups and downs. I've been dealing with injuries, but I am just grateful that I was able to compete at the places that I got to compete, especially my last one at the NCAAs," said Seymour last week on her return home.

"I was very pleased with my PR (personal best). At the time that I did it, I was about 70 per cent or 80 per cent. I knew I could run faster than my PR or 56. It was the national record of the Bahamas so I am very happy with that."

At the NCAA East Regional on May 26 in Lexington, Kentucky, Seymour managed to lower the Bahamas national record in the 400m hurdles to 56.32 seconds as she clinched her berth into the NCAA Championships.

At the NCAA Championships earlier this month at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, Seymour placed eighth in 59.68 in a race that she felt was just a "bad one."

"I received the All-American award, so I was very pleased with how everything worked out," Seymour stressed.

She considers her appearance at the NCAA Championships a blessing. She produced the highest finish by an ETSU track and field athlete since Heidi Dahl got sixth in the 1,500m at the 2009 championships.

"I remember before I went to school, I gave you a quote in a story that I'm excited to go to this school because I've never had a college experience and I wanted to make it to the NCAA," she reflected.

"It's just amazing that I was able to do those things that I had set out to do a year or two ago."

During the outdoor season, Seymour claimed four event victories, 13 top 10 finishes and set the ETSU school record in the 400mH four times.

"Katrina has a future in the sport and we look forward to watching her represent the Bahamas in future World Championships and Olympic Games. She will always be Buc," said George Watts, the director of track and field/cross country at ETSU.

While she was highly praised for her sting at ETSU, Seymour is now more eager to continue her life after college. It will begin this weekend in Grand Bahama when she competes in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' National Open Championships.

"You can expect great things," said Seymour of her expectations at the nationals. "My next race, I want to be able to qualify (for the IAAF World Championships) and compete to the best of my ability. I can definitely attain that."

In order to book her ticket to London, England, for the IAAF World Championships August 5-13, Seymour will have to surpass the qualifying standard of 56.10.

"I will always be a 400m runner and I would definitely like to help my teammates through the rounds," she stated. "So I hope I can get a leg on the 4 x 400m relay. That's all I want to do."

At age 24, Seymour's eligibility for college is done, but she still has one more semester to go to secure her degree in criminal justice. Does that mean that in the meantime she will be turning pro?

"Everything is pending right now. I don't want to talk about it right now," she said. "I just want everybody to keep watching and to see what is in store for Katrina Seymour."