Prep Q&A: DSHA hurdler Jadin O'Brien eager to compete for second state title

The moment isn't too big for Divine Savior Holy Angels' Jadin O'Brien.

At this point a year ago, the sophomore was on the way to winning a state title in the 300-meter hurdles in 43.22 seconds. The time was not only the fastest in the state for all of last season, it was the second-fastest run in the event in state history, according to wisconsintrackonline.com.

She definitely will be the runner to beat at the Dashers' sectional meet hosted by West Allis Central on Thursday. She'll also be a runner to watch at state, though she'll have some company.

Wausau West junior Brooke Jaworski, a two-time state champion in the Division 1 200 and 400, dropped the 200 this year in favor of the 300 hurdles. At a regional meet Monday, she won the event in 42.34, a time that would break her previous state best of 43.03, which to that point was the fastest-ever run by a girl in Wisconsin.

O'Brien survived cold, wet conditions Monday at Wisconsin Lutheran to win her regional in 45.50, which was well off her season best of 44.43. After she anchored DSHA to an easy victory in the 1,600 relay, she talked about her new rival in the hurdles, being coached by her mother, Leslie, and the joy of running.

Q. What did you learn from last year’s experience that is helping you now?

A. What I learned is to be confident in my abilities and to remember that I’ve trained really hard to get to this point and I have it in me, I just have to show it. So definitely to be confident in myself and my capabilities and to trust God and trust myself that I can do it because I’m able to.

Q. What about running gives you satisfaction?

A. Running to me is very freeing and it’s something I’m good at. It’s fun and I love to compete because I’m very competitive, so just being able to track girls down is very fun.

Q. Wausau West’s Brooke Jaworski is running the hurdles this year. What do you think about having someone of her caliber joining the field?

A. I’m not too worried about it because like I said earlier, I’m a competitor and when someone pushes me I run faster. I think this is a good learning experience and an opportunity for me to grow because I need someone to push me, and if Brooke is going to bring it, I’ll be ready for it.

Q. What do you do to prepare for a race?

A. A lot of prayer. My mom is my 300 hurdle coach and I really go to her for support. She runs me through the race and she helps me calm my nerves and then I just do my own thing. I warm up, drink a lot of fluids and I just get mentally prepared for the race.

Q. What is it like to be coached by your mom?

A. We’re super close and I think it really helps me. She was a four-time state champion (in Ohio) in the 300 hurdles as well, so just her experience helps me a lot and she knows what she’s talking about, so it works.

Q. When you’re running in a race, what is going through your mind?

A. If a girl is in front of me, (I think) catch them. That’s what I think. Just get one more, just get one more and I repeatedly tell myself I’m going to catch them. Or if I’m in the lead, everything clears and I’m just running blank-minded basically, just wanting to win.