Below is the Chat Wrap session transcript from Ken Ferguson:
Ken Ferguson of South Carolina participated in the Chat Wrap on Monday, March 10, 2003 from 9-10pm EST. Only a freshman, Ferguson has the second-fastest mark for Division I in the 60 meter hurdles with his time of 7.67. He also ran 46.72 this indoor season and is a part of the 4x400 meter relay which ran 3:05.49.
Hailing from Detroit's Mumford High School, Ferguson brought home several medals and records from the 2002 IAAF World Junior Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, this past summer. In the final event, Ferguson led off the 4x400 meter relay to a 3:03.71 for the gold medal - just ahead of Jamaica's 3:04.06. Ferguson's time of 49.38 won a silver medal in the 400 hurdles which also set a new American high-school record.
(http://www.njrunner.org/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/kf.JPG)
Ken Ferguson owns the American high-school record in the 400 meter hurdles (Joy Kamani)
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Tommy Noyes from North Canton, OH - When you are running the 400, what do you do to keep your arms and body relaxed towards the finish? Every time I come near the end, I end up tensing my arms and I slow down. How should I overcome this?
Ken Ferguson - When running the 400 meters, you should not use your arms too much until the end. You should get out real hard for the first 160, then gather a rhythm for about 200 meters then let it all lose at the end. You can't save anything for the end -- give it your all, if you slow down then you are running fast.
Devin from Canada - What do you think your chances are at breaking the world junior record in the 400 hurdles? Also how are the women down in South Carolina?
Ken Ferguson - Well Devin, I think my chances are really good this year, but I'm going to leave the rest of that in god's hand and I'm in the best hurdle program in the country so there's no limit to my potential at breaking the world junior record, because I'm motivated this year to be the best ever in the sport. The women are looking real good right now as they are getting ready for indoor nationals so be looking out for some record breaking events!
Elric Zellner from Florida - In recruiting what made you realize Curtis Frye and South Carolina was the place to bring you into center stage as you now are?
Ken Ferguson - I realized this my senior year in high school they were the only school that wanted me when I was doing just enough to get by in the hurdles. Then when I got good everybody wanted me and I didn't think they were the right schools. Plus the reputation this school has as far ?s the hurdles I train with the best everyday such as Allen Johnson, Terrance Tramell, and my teammates it's a good environment.
Peter from Maryland - What kind of splits have the members of your 4x4 been running this year, and is it strange having an 800 like Lekote run the relay with you?
Ken Ferguson - We've all been running consistent splits like 47.2, 46.6, 46.0 and 45.2 is just an example of what we ran at the SEC Championships. I have to give a lot of credit to my teammate OT he got a lot of heart to do what he does, but you've haven't seen nothing yet! Wait until NCAA's where we are very confident that were going to break the 4x4 record this year!
Jason from Washington - What is the hardest things about adjusting to the new heights in the high hurdles?
Ken Ferguson - It's very difficult for some people and I was one of them. I'm still learning now trust me, it's not as easy as it seems it takes a lot of work and dedication to excel in them which is my main goal right now.
Bill from New York - Have you always been a top level athlete for your age, or was there a point when your talent became evident?
Ken Ferguson - No, I haven't as I just started to get good at the Nike high school indoor nationals. That's when I got my first indoor victory and gave me confidence to each track meet and it's still following me now.
B Jiles from Detroit - How does it feel to be a part of the Mumford High School Dynasty?
Ken Ferguson - It feels good to come from there which is where my coach is at an the person who made me what I am today I owe it all to him an my friends that was supporting me - go EMU (B Jiles) good luck at nationals!
Regis from New Zealand - What is your mind frame going into your practices?
Ken Ferguson - When I go to practice everyday, my mind is in a winning mind frame. I say to myself that I'm the best and if I want to beat the best, I have to practice harder than the best.
E.P. Oman from Arizona - How is Bershawn doing and how fast do you two want to run this spring?
Ken Ferguson - He's doing alright right now as he attends St. Augustine's College, but he's running good. We both got the same goal this year and that's to be better than the year before, but mine is a little different as I want to be a world junior record holder also.
Jordan from Georgia - Hey Kenneth, congratulations on your accomplishments. My question is, what do you do to stay your weight and what you eat to stay fit?
Ken Ferguson - As we all know, I'm not the biggest guy but I weigh 165 but I'm very strong for my size. I lift weights 3 times a week and I eat a lot of nutritional stuff like vegetables and stuff with potassium.
Greg from Massachusetts - What is your weekly training like? Plyos? Weight lifting? I am also a hurdle, but we don't have a hurdle coach, so I was wondering if you could
give me some tips.
Ken Ferguson - Well we do drills on Monday's the basics. Tuesday we run all out 300's (5), Wednesday we practice the hurdles like techniques, speed between the hurdles. Thursday we pull weights an do some 150's (8) and Friday a shake out to get our muscles relax for the meet.
Greg from Boston - How would you acess your chances this weekend at nationals? Are you hoping for a double victory (4x4, 60H)?
Ken Ferguson - Of course I'm the underdog right now as everyone's looking past me because I'm a freshman and that's cool, because there's no pressure on me. So I'? just going to sneak up behind them an try to catch a victory! For the 4x4, I'm just looking for a record, because I'm confident that were going to win!
Cedric from Rochester - What did you learn from your trip this past year with the Junior Team?
Ken Ferguson - I've learned that a lot of countries got love for the sport of track an field.
Nancy from Philadelphia - I was reading your web page and I just wanted to tell you that I like what you are doing. My question is, what inspired you, to become a runner and
who do you look up to in the athletic world as your role model?
Ken Ferguson - Well I wanted to be a basketball player but I kept twisting my ankles so my math teacher asked me if I wanted to try track. So my friends and I ran but they quit and I stayed with it and I eventually developed into a better runner. It's paying off right now and thanks for the question "Ken got love for philly also."
Mookie from SMU - How does it feel to be on the top of the world as a freshman?
Ken Ferguson - It feels good right now as I wasn't expecting to be doing this good this early. I thought it would take me 2 years to come out this fast but it's coming out early and it's great.