Nelly song motivates Abby Lazard
Tue. March 13, 2012 at 10:11 a.m. | By
Senior Abby Lazard competes in the high jump, long jump and triple jump for the Central Lafourche girls' track and field team. (Photo by Michael Conti/Staff)
Michael Conti
Staff Photographer
Athlete in Focus is a new weekly feature appearing in The Courier and Daily Comet.
Every Tuesday, an athlete from a different area school will be given a personal interview about their life, passions and aspirations. The column aims to present a different side of our athletes to readers, rather than recognize a specific achievement.
Today's athlete is Central Lafourche senior track standout Abby Lazard. She competes in three events for the Lady Trojans — high jump, long jump and triple jump.
Q: Do you have a favorite pre-game meal, or comfort food before competition?
A: I try not to eat before I run because you'll feel so much heavier. I'll have something light, like pickles or a banana.
Q: What types of music do you listen to when working out? Do you have a favorite song that you get pumped up to?
A: I always listen to one song, during the whole season. This season it's Nelly's "The Champ." I'll listen to it before and after a meet.
Q: How do you celebrate a win or success in your sport?
A: I post some of the lyrics to "The Champ" to my Facebook, I'm sure some of my friends don't know why I always post the same song.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: Marion Jones. I read her autobiography and it inspired me to get my tattoo (a sprinter's shoe with wings).
Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: Track.
Q: What is your favorite subject in school?
A: Math.
Q: What do you want to do after graduation?
A: I want to go to med school and become an OBGYN.
Q: What would your dream job be?
A: My dream job is to become a doctor, but if I could be an Olympic athlete, that would be icing on the cake.
Q: What are some of your goals for the season?
A: I want to PR (personal record) in every meet of the season, and I want to get a 5-foot, 6-inch jump in the high jump.
Q: What is one thing people might not know about you?
A: I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I've actually had a dream about casting spells, one when I woke up I realized that the spells I used were wrong.
Q: When you're training for your sport, what is your diet like? Is there something you've cut out to stay healthy?
A: I try not to drink soft drinks because I get cramps after I drink them.
Q: What was the best advice you were ever given in relation to your sport?
A: The best advice I've been given is just to have fun with it. If I'm not having fun, I don't do as well. I would get nervous before a competition, so I'll have a friend read me jokes before a track meet.
