For many 17-year-olds, the month of June is synonymous with high school proms and g

Photo courtesy of the University of Alabama Photography Department.

raduations, but for Kirani James, June 9 to 12 means NCAA Outdoor Championships and the opportunity for more glory. Kirani, the Gouyave, Grenada native is not your regular 17-year-old; he’s the reigning 2010 SEC Conference Outdoor Freshman of the Year. His prior major accomplishments include the World Youth Championships 200m and 400m titles. Now, with a lifetime best 45.01 secs in the 400m, Kirani heads to the championships in Eugene, Oregon not only as a University of Alabama (Alabama) Crimson Tide but also as a favorite in the quarter mile.

How does the young 'Spice Islander' feel going into his first NCAA Outdoor Championships, at the end of his first semester at Alabama, and what keeps him motivated?  Caribbean TrackLife Magazine recently caught up with the calm and reserved teen, who shared some of his thoughts with us.

“The NCAA is a whole new experience for me. It is very competitive and I am going to Eugene to run and to improve on my personal best,” said the Grenada Boys Secondary School graduate, noting that training was going well and that practices were not that intense because he has been competing on a weekly basis.

“My friends and my family back home [Grenada] keep me motivated. I am trying to improve the lifestyle of my family and myself and that also keeps me motivated,” he affirmed.

Adapting Well 

Kirani leads the field. Wesley Hitt photo

Kirani is adapting well both on the track and in classes, thanks to his coaches and teammates, who, he says, understand his situation and try to make him as comfortable as possible. Although he doesn’t have a lot of spare time because of his academic workload that includes summer classes, Kirani says he’s also adjusting well to the teaching style at Alabama.

“Track and field is like a sanctuary for me. When I am on the track everything is alright. I get the chance to just get away and not worry about anything,” Kirani said.

As for his taste in food, Kirani likes everything his mom cooks. Understandably, he sometimes misses his family, who understands why he’s away.

On Kirani chances of winning a medal in Eugene, Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Harvey Glance believes that things will be tough but he expects Kirani to run very fast, noting the 43.94-secs split that Kirani ran on a 4x4 relay leg recently.

Glance’s goal for his Crimson Tide men’s team is to finish in the top 25 in Eugene, Oregon.