Howard dominated the high jump last year which saw her clear 6'6" (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

1. You recently won your 16th straight collegiate high jump competition with a NCAA automatic qualifying clearance of 6'2" at the Niswonger Invitational. How have you felt so far this season and as we head into the heart of the indoor season?

It took me a little bit of time the get into the swing of things for this season. Mainly because my season last year was so long. But now that I have had the chance to compete I am just as excited about each meet, as I have been in seasons past. I am not in top shape as of yet, but am not in a hurry to be. I definitely don't want to peak too early. I am looking forward to a long season this year as well.

2. As the 2004 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Champion in the high jump, you have been one of the more dominating athletes in their event. What keeps you on top of your game each and every week? How do you prepare for each meet?

Honestly I am blessed. Being spiritually centered is what gets me through week to week. I am not just saying this, but I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and nothing without him. I work hard every practice. I shed blood sweat and tears on Georgia Tech's track and each day I exit the track I know that I have left all that I can on the track. This is how I prepare for each meet. My coach is very knowledgeable about my event. He and I are a team and we work together on my strengths and weaknesses get the best possible results.

3. You also posted a mark of 6'4.75" at the U.S. Olympic Trials to finish second and qualify for first Olympic Games. What was the experience like for you in Athens this past summer?

This summer was amazing. I still can not believe that I was one of the fortunate ones to be able to take part in the games. No one would ever be able to describe to me in words the feeling that I got when I firstly, walked into the Olympic village and secondly into the stadium. I was overwhelmed. You can't help but take a moment and think back on all that it took to get there, and then be pleased that you were one of the ones to make it.

4. With a personal best mark of 6'6", what are some of your goals for this season and beyond?

I definitely want to be able to set another personal best for myself this year. I have been able to do so every year since I have started jumping and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Whatever comes along with that I welcome with open arms.

5. Named the 2004 ACC Co-Performer of the Year after tallying first, second and third-place finishes in the high jump, long jump and triple jump, most people don't realize that you are solid in other events as well. How often do you get to practice the long jump and triple jump, along with the sprinting events, during the week?

Last year I did not practice the long and triple jump at all. I focused on what my high school coach called my "bread and butter", which was my high jump. I also played around with hurdles and was lucky enough to get and ACC honor in that as well. One day I would like to try doing the multi events, just to see what that is like. I do hard sprinting once a week.

6. Originally from Riverside, California, what stood out about the Georgia Tech program and campus that made you enroll there from all the other schools you visited?

When looking for colleges to attend I wanted to pick a school with a climate similar to California's. I don't like cold weather. I loved Georgia Tech right away when I stepped off of the airplane. Georgia Tech is in Atlanta. (Need I say more)? On the more serious side I always knew that I wanted to go the Olympic Games. I knew that I alone would not have what it takes to get me to the next level. Coming out of high school I jumped about 6 feet 1 and 1/2 inches with the help of my coach Robert Attical. My coach Nat Page and my weight coach Scott McDonald helped me get to 6 feet 6 inches in only 2 seasons. I needed to surround myself around people that could help me attain my goals.

7. As a seven-time prep national champion at J.W. North High School, what stands out the most about all of your high school accomplishments?

I would have to say that out of all of my high school accomplishments nationals my junior year stands out the most. The first real high jump goal that my coaches and I set for myself was to jump 6ft. I achieved that goal and then some. I actually got to prove myself as a runner as well as a jumper. One of the greatest feelings that a person can ever feel besides love is reaching a goal that they set and worked towards.

8. What are some of the more important plyometric exercises that you focus on in practice that you feel help you the most in your events?

Though I do a lot of plyometric exercises it is the determination that is most important in your exercise. I can not pin point an exercise and say that one helps me more than another.

9. For all of the high school athletes out there who are looking forward to competing at the collegiate level, what's the best piece of advice that you can give them?

No matter how good you get remember who you are and where you came from. You can not excel without hard work. You will not reach your dreams by merely dreaming but have to your dreams into action. Don't forget any of the people that supported you along the way. And never give up because you never know when your hard work is just about to pay off.

10. How do you like to spend your free time when you are away from the track?

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love to dance. When I am not on the track I listen to music, talk on the phone with my sisters, grandmother and loved ones and read my bible. Oh and I laugh at any and everything for no particular reason except that you can find humor in almost any venue of life. I always try to make others laugh because most people have very beautiful smiles.