Yanick Hart Adjusting Well at the University of Florida

Twenty year old Yanick Hart is no stranger to the hurdles. Yanick, the Wolmer’s Boys School graduate, has the potential to become one of the next best sprint-hurdlers from Jamaica. With a personal best time of 13.52 seconds in the 110m hurdles, and after a stellar high school career both on the track and in the classroom, the eloquent hurdler has taken his talent to Gainesville at the University of Florida. TrackLedger.com (TL) caught up with Yanick recently to discuss his adjustment to life as a Florida Gator. TL: How is training going? Yanick: So far training has been going very good… I have been working with the hurdles coach [Erin Tucker]. Training is different from what I am used to in Jamaica but it’s different in a good way. Coach Tucker is more technical and very detailed and he pays close attention to everything that I do. He is also a great motivator who pushes me hard in practice, especially in times when I am not working hard enough. He wants to ensure that I am working hard to reach my full potential. TL: How are you transitioning? Yanick: “If you want greatness and you know what greatness is and you are at greatness…then you have to make the necessary adjustments to achieve that greatness.” that being said… Things were a bit shaky at first, but I am getting used to everybody and getting used to the training, I guess I am transitioning well so far. TL: Do you think that Wolmer’s Boys School prepared you academically for what you are doing right now? Yanick: Well… I am living by the Wolmer’s motto “age quod agis – do well in whatever you do”…. Wolmer’s has prepared me very well to attend a great institution such as the University of Florida. So what I have learned at Wolmer’s I have brought it here [work ethics, determination desire]. And I am learning great things here as well. Wolmer’s has done a great job in helping me to transition here. TL: Have you decided on your major as yet? Yanick: At the moment I will be majoring in Criminal Justice… I will then use that degree to get into law school. I plan to study business law which has universal application, so it doesn’t matter if I decide to stay here (US) or go back to Jamaica, I can use this degree to do great things. TL: What is your specialty event and what is your immediate focus?  Yanick: My specialty is the 110m hurdles. My coaches here at the University of Florida have talked about me trying other events. However, we won’t be trying any new events until my sophomore year. The focus this year is to get me in the full grove of being a hurdler, and then based on how I perform, we will then decide if I should pick up other events. I think I am capable of doing the 100m flat as well as the 4x100m relay.    TL: Will you be doing the 60m hurdles indoor this season? Yanick: I competed in my first 60m hurdles race last weekend (January 12). I finished 3^rd [8.07 seconds] in my heat. It was my first race…and it was a bit shaky…my coach saw some things that we need to work on. Wolmer’s training was good and all but there are some things that are beyond the level of Wolmer’s.    TL: Since your focus is on the 110m hurdles, where do you see yourself taking it this season? Yanick: I don’t like to put a limit on myself, but you know that the biggest stage is the NCAA championship. My coaches think I have a chance to make it there… although I am just a freshman. They think that I can make it to the NCAA based on what they have seen so far.   TL: Is the Jamaican National Championship on your radar this summer? Yanick: I definitely have it on my radar… So far in training, my coaches are expecting great things and they said that if I can do well and produce the times they think I can produce, then I will definitely participate in the national trials this summer. TL: How are you adjusting culturally? Yanick: Honestly…at first it was kind of weird getting use to everybody and how certain people relate to certain things. After a while you have to understand that you have to accept people for who they are… culturally I think I am adapting well… I stick to the things that I’m most comfortable with… and I have learned to respect other people who believe in things that are different from what I believe in.   Like us on  Facebook Follow us on Twitter