RADFORD, Va. – The “Track Spotlight” series is a weekly interview with one men's and women's track and field student-athlete.  This week features seniors Bryan Wallace and Britney Whittaker.

At last week's Liberty Open, Wallace placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles, but that wasn't the significant moment.  When that time came in, he broke the school record in the event once again, racing to a 7.23 finish, bettering his old mark of 7.28.  With the mark, Wallace is now the indoor record-holder in the 60 hurdles and owns the outdoor 110-meter hurdles top mark.  Throughout his four years as a Highlander, he has become a solid foundation in jumps and hurdles for Radford track and field.

Q: You currently own both school records in the 60 and 110-meter hurdles.  What does this mean to you to have accomplished these feats?
A: My father once told me that records are meant to be broken. Although I am happy to break the previous records, I still understand that there is a lot more work to be done. I know I can run faster and that I can jump farther. I will only be satisfied knowing that I performed at my best.

Q: Without access to an official indoor track, how are you able to train for the hurdles during the entire indoor season?
A: It takes a lot of patience and some creativity but the basics of my training remains the same. I continue do my hurdle progression (hurdle warm-ups) on the lower level and then set up one or two hurdles up top (running track around Dedmon) with blocks to get an actual race simulation.

Q: What has it been like to work with and train under Coach Moss?
A: It has been different to say the least. The last couple of years for me were very discipline, precision, and technical.  I still find myself gravitating back to those principles. With Coach Moss, however, he brings a new start. His bright personality has motivated us to do better and as a result we (the jumpers) have responded well to competition. I like Coach. His arrival to the team was what we needed.

Q: Do you have a most memorable meet?
A: The first meet that comes to mind is my first collegiate meet where I broke the 60-meter hurdles record. The record isn't what I remember most but it's the fall at the finish line that stands out!

Q: You also compete in the jumps. Is it difficult to compete in both the hurdles and jumps in the same day?
A: Not really. As a hurdler, I have to incorporate both running and jumping to finish the race. The same goes for jumping, I have to run first to jump. The basics of the techniques are not that different, so it makes it easier to compete as both a hurdler and a jumper.

Q: Looking back through your four years, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Making it through adversity. Track is more dependent on individual performances, and it becomes frustrating when you don't perform the way you are capable of doing. Many times I thought of just walking away from the sport, but through faith I stayed to become the athlete that I can be, and because of this, I am a stronger athlete and more importantly a better person.

Q: You have been pursuing a degree in business management.  When you graduate, what do you plan on doing with that degree?
A: My plans are still up the air at this point, but I'm heavily considering going to the military (Air Force preferably) and enter into barbering school.


Whittaker has made her mark on the Radford record books in the 800m and distance medley relay.  Not only does she own school records in both, but has also racked up four of the Top-10 program marks in the indoor 800 and six in the outdoor race.  The local Pilot, Va. product will look to improve upon last year's Big South Indoor Championship podium performance when she competes in the conference championships at Clemson towards the end of February.

Q: You are one of the most accomplished 800m runners in Radford history, recording four of the Top-10 all-time marks.  You currently sit just .51 seconds behind Amy Gediman's indoor school record.  What will it take for you to surpass that mark and etch your name in the record books?
A: It is going to take hard work and focus.  If you lose sight of the goal you will never accomplish anything.  I think that Coach White has set me up for success and all I need to do is drop my practice times to get the record. I look forward to seeing what my last year brings me.

Q: Do you have a most memorable meet?
A: My most memorable meet is running the 800m for the first time for Radford. I was running in the developmental race, which took place earlier in the morning.  I remember getting to the 200m mark and Coach Chumbley yelling it wasn't a 400!  I felt really good and finished with a 2:18, which was fourth place at the meet overall. I think it was funny because I don't think Coach White or Coach Chumbley expected that out of me. They ended up putting me in the 800m for conference and later came to the conclusion it was an excellent decision.

Q: What is your ultimate goal for yourself and the team for indoor season and heading into outdoor?
A: My goal is to break the school record and go under 2:14 for indoor, and under 2:10 for outdoor. I would prefer to run 2:06 my senior year, but I will be happy with anything under 2:10. My goal for the team is for everyone to do his or her best and I feel you cannot ask someone to do more than that.  As long as we all try then we have not failed.

Q: Looking back through your four years, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I am proud of helping the community with Project Linus, as well as reading to the Belle Heth Elementary School students. I think both projects were meaningful and we helped others. Also, helping out with the Special Olympics was a proud moment for my teammates and myself.

Q: Having attended Radford High School, have you always wanted to run at RU?
A: I wanted to stay in the area and be close to home. Initially, I didn't even want to run in college, but my father sat me down and had a talk with me about my love of running. He passed away my senior year of high school, but I am grateful for his discussion with me because being on the track team here at RU has given me another family. You connect with people and become close.  If it wasn't for my father talking to me, I would have never become a 800m Conference champ.

Q: You have been pursuing a degree in criminal justice.  What are your career objectives following graduation?
A: I am applying to graduate school here at RU as we speak.  Hopefully I will get in and get my master's degree here. After getting my master's degree, I plan on going to law school, hopefully to the University of Richmond, and becoming a lawyer.  Eventually I would like to be a judge and retire to become a DI Track & Field coach (by then Coach White should want to retire!!).  As for running, I think I am a natural born competitor and I will be training and running marathons. My ultimate goal is to start at one point of the U.S. and run to the other.