For Francena McCorory the Sky is the Limit

By O’Neil A Reid With a fourth place finished in the women’s 400m finals (50.45 seconds) at the 2011 Daegu world championship,  twenty-four year old Francena McCorory puts the world on notice that she has arrived as one of the world’s premier female quarter-miler. Francena, who was competing in her first season on the professional circuit, did not leave Daegu, South Korea empty-handed; she joined Sanya Richard-Ross, Jessica Beard, and Allyson Felix to capture 4x400m relay gold for the United States. In Daegu, the Hampton University graduate established a personal best of 50.24 seconds in the 400m in the semi-finals. A confident Francena enters the 2012 season with high expectation. Francena spoke to Trackledger.com about Hampton University, her training and her upcoming season. Hampton University and the 2011 Season Reflecting on her college years, where she established the school record of 50.58 seconds in the 400m, Francena said she felt that the coaches at Hampton University really prepared her for where she is right now. “I had a great coach who pushed me to work hard and I definitely had a good foundation that prepared me.” Commenting on her successful 2011 season, Francena said, “I did not expect to do that well my first year, I am happy about it and I am happy about where I ended up at the end of the season ranked #4 in the world.” Francena quickly pointed out that there is room for improvement. Over the past four years Francena has improved her personal best on the 400m from 51.54 seconds to 50.24 seconds.  McCorory’s time of 50.24 seconds was also the 8^th fastest 400m time in the world in 2011. Training for the Sub-50 400m Club When asked about her goals for this season, Francena said “I am definitely looking to going under 50.0 seconds this year and I am very excited about that.” With a personal best 22.92 seconds in the 200m Francena is fully aware that she will have to improve on her speed over this distance as well as her stamina for the latter part of her race. “Training is going absolutely well and I am pretty proud of where I am right now.” She said. In her 2012 season debut at the Penn State National Invitational on January 28^th, Francena won the 500m in a personal best 1.09.01 seconds.  Francena said that she is unsure of the events she will compete in indoors, but she and her coach will make the decisions on those events. However, she insisted that she will not be doing too many indoors events this season, as the focus will be on the outdoors, with the US Olympics Trials and  London 2012  being the marquee events. Francena McCorory has been successful at all levels and has the potential to become the world best female quarter-miler.  The 2012 season may be the year that this powerful Virginian claims the top spot in the women’s 400m in London.