Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interviews: Jennifer Harlow of Wheaton (MA)

(Photo courtesy of the Wheaton College athletics website)

Senior Jennifer Harlow, Wheaton (MA) College, is the returning Indoor National Champion in high jump.  Harlow also garnered all-America honors in high jump as a junior and sophomore.  She has been one of Wheaton’s captains in both 2006 and 2007.  Here are thoughts on her final season of competition.

By: Keith Solverson

Could you tell the viewing audience what a week of practice looks like for you (i.e. how much time you spend with the sprinters as opposed to hurdle work or high jumping)? 

Mondays and Fridays I am part of the hurdler group to work on speed and acceleration. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I practice with the jumper group. Tuesday is mostly used for jumping form and technique, Wednesday is our running day, and Thursday is approach work. I also lift after practice Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

What are the challenges you face as a high jumper?

The hardest part about high jumping, for me at least, is putting everything together in one jump. There are so many things you have to do during your approach and take off in order to get your body in the correct position and set yourself up for a good jump. You have to build your speed, stay in the turn, take off far enough from the bar, and layout over the bar. I either run my turn right, layout over the bar, or take off far enough from the bar, but it seems like almost never all at once. Hopefully I’ll be able to put it all together and get some great jumps in this season. 

What routines, if any, do you perform before you jump? 

I usually run in circles and do some pop-ups, which probably look ridiculous, but it helps remind me of my turn and take off. When the heights get higher I have to take a couple of deep breaths, stare at the bar, and focus or my adrenaline takes over and I lose my concentration. 

What events did you participate in during your high school years? 

For indoor track I high jumped, ran the 55m hurdles, 300m and was usually on the 4x400. Outdoor I ran the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, high jumped and long jumped. I ran the 200m and a relay here and there too.  

What were your personal bests in high school?  

My personal best for the high jump was 5’7” other than that; my PRs are not very impressive. 55 m hurdles was 9.4, 300 m was 46.7, 100 m hurdles was 15.56, 300 m hurdles was 47.1, 200 m was 27.1, and long jump was 16’7”. 

What are your personal bests in college? 

My high jump PR is 5’8”, my hurdle times are 8.41 for the 55 m and 15.21 for the 100 m. I’ve also done long jump (17’6”) triple jump (37’5”) and the 200 (26.4) every now and then, but I mostly just stick with high jump and hurdles. 

What are your goals for the rest of indoor and the upcoming outdoor season? 

For high jump I am hoping to capture both National titles and to PR at the National meet. Another goal I have is to break the Wheaton records; indoor the record is 5’11 ¼” and outdoor is 5’10”. It sounds a little impossible to me right now, but I feel like I will get there by the end of the season. 

How much pressure, if any, do you feel coming into the season? 

The most pressure I feel is coming from myself. I had the best indoor season of my college career last year and it is hard for me to be that consistent again. I guess I am afraid that I am going to let everyone down. 

How did you end up at Wheaton (MA)?  

Wheaton hosted many of my high school league meets. I actually cleared 5’7” for the first time at one of my dual meets here. I met Coach Souza on my recruiting trip and learned about how phenomenal the women’s team was and about the strong academic programs; it was definitely something I wanted to be a part of. 

What separates Wheaton (MA) from other colleges or universities you looked at? 

I applied to Wheaton Early Decision; after my visit here I did not even bother to look at any other schools and after I found out I was accepted in November of my senior year I did not bother to apply to any other schools. I am still not sure if things would have been different if I looked around, but I do know that I had my mind set on going here from the moment I was recruited and once I make up my mind there is no changing it.

Who is your role model and why? 

Since I was a kid I have wanted to be like my older sister, Jocelyn. I am very shy and soft spoken so I admire and envy her outgoing personality and confidence. She is very independent, and that is definitely something I aspire to be.

Thanks to Jennifer for a great interview.