La Grange Freshman Collier Hurdles Her Way to State

What a first year of high school La Grange freshman Macie Collier is having.

The three-sport athlete has emerged as one of the best hurdlers in the state.

Collier has broken the school record in the 300 meter hurdles five times this season (her current record is 45.00) and broke the 100 meter hurdle school record four times (her current record is 15.86.)

She qualified for regionals in four events, including the pole vault and as anchor leg of the 4x400 relay as well.

Monday she qualified for next week’s state track meet in the 300 hurdles with the fifth fastest qualifying time in the state in Class 4A.

“It’s been fun to have Macie join us as a freshman this year. We knew she had a lot of potential but this has kind of blown it out of the water,” said La Grange girls track coach Leslie Coltrain. “She’s a threesport athlete. She’s gone from volleyball to basketball to track. It took us a  little while to get her into track shape but once we did all she’s done is continue to knock down time.”

We’re proud to honor Macie Collier as this week’s Fayette County Record Athlete of the Week. Here’s our interview with her:

How did you decide to become a hurdler?

“When I was first starting track in 7th grade my track coach loved how long my legs were. He knew that was my event and where I would excel the most. He put me in there and we got to work.”

Did you ever lose a hurdle race in middle school?

“I was running the 100 hurdles at the Rice Meet. This girl from Yoakum came out of nowhere my eighth grade year. After that we went out in the 300 hurdles and I beat her there.”

Have you ever wiped out going over a hurdle in a race, and did you recover to finish well?

“We were running in Hallettsville my 7th grade year. I was going over my last hurdle in the 300 hurdles. I clipped it and rolled and fell, and I heard my dad on the field and he was yelling at me, ‘you gotta get up and finish the race.’ I didn’t want to, but I got up and finished in first.”

Both your parents are coaches. Talk about how that impacts your development as an athlete.

“They have taught me so many ways of being responsible and being committed to my events.”

You and your family just moved to La Grange this year (from Schulenburg). Talk about what the adjustment has been like and what you think about LHS and the town of La Grange.

“It’s very different from Schulenburg. I think it’s been super great and competition -wise I’ve gotten a lot better in my sports, The people have been super nice. I love all of my teams.”

What is the best food in the La Grange cafeteria?

“Their quesadillas or the orange chicken.”

What is the worst food in the La Grange cafeteria?

“The chili they put on hot dogs or on the frito pie. It just scares me.”

Do you have any prerace rituals?

“Before the race I like to clear my head. I don’t like to talk to my competitors, I keep to myself. I like to use a (massage) gun before I get on the track and release all of the tension in my muscles and get ready to run.”

You continue to break and re-break school records in the hurdle races. Has your success surprised even you, and how are you continuing to go faster and faster?

“Ever since I broke it the first time, it’s been great to see the work I’ve put into it pay off ... every time I break a record it feels better and better.”

What are your goals for the state track meet?

“Really excited for the experience, and to run against really good competition. I’m just going to go out and run what I can and see where that puts me.”