AshfordAthletics.com recently sat down with women's track and field sophomore sprinter Laura Minertz of Sterling, Ill., for an enjoyable question and answer session.

In this Q&A, Minertz touches on the Saints' success from the indoor season, her "hurdlephobia", her first Midwest Collegiate Conference crown and some hobbies she enjoys in her spare time.

Minertz recently wrapped up the indoor season at the UNI-Dome Open in Cedar Falls, where she broke the school record in the 200-meter dash for the third time this season. She was the MCC indoor champion in the 200-meter dash and was the league runner-up as a freshman in the outdoor 100 and 200-meter dashes.

Minertz also holds school records in the 60-meter dash, 300-meter dash and as a member of the 4x200-meter relay team.

AshfordAthletics.com: What was it like to be competing in your hometown (Sterling, Ill. at Westwood Sports Complex) for the MCC Indoor Championships?

Laura Minertz: I really enjoyed it. My family came out to watch me and they usually try to come when it's close to home for them. That's pretty much been my home track. I practiced there all through high school, all of our indoor events were there, so it's like my home turf. I'm used to that track and running on it, so it makes it a little easier come competition time.

AA.com: Where have you grown the most from as a freshman to where you are now?

Minertz: I think I've come a long ways from last year. You can definitely tell in my times that I worked pretty hard. I worked hard over the summer and I'm just really happy where times are at right now and with what I've accomplished this year and how I've grown as a teammate for everyone else.

AA.com: I think you could be a hurdling standout, ever think about giving that a shot?

Minertz: (Laughs) Not so much. I tried them once in high school, but they kind of freak me out, so I decided to stay away from them.

AA.com: How tough is it to prepare for several different events in a meet?

Minertz: Well, I'm not sure. For the 60-meter dash, it's a short race. All I would think about is my start because that's pretty much the whole race. If you have a good start, then you'll be OK. As for my 200 and 400, I have to think a little more strategically about it. How you keep pace in the 400 and have enough in you for the end and it's really the same for the 200. I have to think a little strategically there.

AA.com: What's your favorite event?

Minertz: I love the 200. That's probably my favorite and I've done the best in that through the years.

AA.com: Have you developed more of a leadership role this year?

Minertz: I'd really like to think so. I try to be a good leader for my teammates and role model if they need me.

AA.com: Do you have any hidden talents you'd care to share?

Minertz: I don't know if I'd consider a talent (laughs), but I grew up on a farm. In the summer, and I'm too old for it now, but I used to show cattle at the fair. So I guess that would be considered a hobby (laughs).

I've had good success, but it depends how good the animal is. Last year, I did pretty well with my heifer and one year we got Grand Champion with a pair (cow and heifer). I've done good with it in the past, but it also depends on the judge you get.

AA.com: Why are outdoor times faster than indoor times?

Minertz: Well, with indoor, you have a lot more curves and they're usually tighter. So, you're not going to be able to go your top speed, but the curves are just tighter and when you get outside, you don't have to run as many curves depending on what event you're in and it's not as tight. So you're going to do a little bit better.

AA.com: How is the team feeling heading into the outdoor season?

Minertz: I think it's pretty good and we're going at a pretty high level. We kind of, like one of our coaches, Sheena (James), said we're going to be one of the underlying teams that nobody really expects and we proved that at indoor. They're going to be coming for us for outdoor, so I think our confidence level is getting pretty high and we're coming together as a team more.