| Layne Nixon |
With cross country season in full stride, freshman Layne Nixon took time out of his busy schedule to visit with goUTSA.com. The Woodlands native is off to a great start in the first few weeks of his collegiate career. He teamed up with Jake Orndorff at the UTSA Opener to finish fourth in the 4xmile relay and has been the team’s top finisher at each of the past two meets, placing sixth at the Texas State Invitational and seventh at the Ricardo Romo/Six Flags Fiesta Texas Classic.
What tactics does the coaching staff use to motivate the team before a meet?
“They get us all together in a group, tell us not to be nervous about the race and focus on things that are in our control. Then we just try to get everyone pumped up and ready for the race.”
What’s going through your mind during a race?
“The first part of the race isn’t too bad and you aren’t hurting much. We just make sure the team stays together and you keep up with your opponents. In the second half of the race, you begin to run your hardest and I usually think ?Why am I doing this to myself?’ But I keep thinking good thoughts because at the end of the race it all pays off.”
How do you relax after a meet?
“I just go home and lay around for the rest of the day. I play a lot of video games, go hang out at the pool or hang out with my teammates.”
What’s your favorite activity beside track and cross country?
“I would have to say mountain biking. I like it because you are out on all the trails and in mountains and you get to explore stuff.”
What is the funniest thing that has happened during a practice or competition?
“There are always times when someone is going to trip or fall, but the funniest time is when my team was running easy on the track and one of my teammates decided to take off his warm-up shorts. Well, apparently he thought he could take them off while running and he tripped. Then my other teammate behind him tripped over him, and there was a huge pile-up on the track.”
What are your plans in the future?
“I want to get a degree in business and be successful in a career. In cross country, I want to help our team win a conference championship and make it to nationals before I graduate.”
What legacy do you want to leave here at UTSA?
“In our locker room we have pictures of our conference championship teams and all of our top runners on the wall. We have people that went to NCAA finals for track and we have some runners that have made it to the Olympics. I would definitely like to get our team picture on that wall, as well as my individual picture. When I leave I want every team that comes through here to remember us and know that we helped create a championship program here at UTSA.”