San Diego State senior Jalyn Harris, a Mountain West Conference indoor and outdoor champion in the women's 4x400-meter relay in addition to being an All-American in the event in both seasons, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss the 42nd Aztec Invitational, scheduled for March 25-27, and her return to competing in the outdoor 400 meters for the first time since the conference championship meet in May 2019. Harris reflects on being in Albuquerque, N.M., for last year's NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships, and then not being able to race again for nearly one year as a result of pandemic, with her patience additionally tested when San Diego State decided not to compete in indoor meets during the winter season. She revisits the Aztecs' home dual meet Feb. 25 against Utah and the significance of wearing the San Diego State kit again, along with competing in the 200 meters and 4x400 relay. Harris expresses gratitude to not only her sprints coach Alrick Munroe, but especially Aztecs' head coach Sheila Burrell and the program's entire support system, for keeping her motivated and optimistic during the past year. She also emphasizes how meaningful it is for San Diego State to be hosting the Aztec Invitational again for the first time since 2019, and how thankful she is for the presence of Pac-12 programs Arizona, Cal, Oregon and USC competing at the meet. Harris reveals how she took advantage of the time off from competition to make some significant changes to her diet and workout regimen, in an effort to become a stronger version of herself this year. The three-time Southern Section Division 1 winner and four-time state podium finisher at Rancho Cucamonga High also explains her drive to improve on personal-best marks of 53.59 in the 400 and 23.82 in the 200, in addition to capturing her first Mountain West individual title in May. Harris also examines the program's outdoor 4x400 record of 3:30.57 that has stood since 1985, and how motivated the Aztecs are to take down that impressive standard. She also analyzes the NCAA's decision to reduce the number of regional qualifiers from 48 to 32 in individual events, along with sharing her desire to take advantage of an extra year of eligibility to return to compete in 2022, along with completing her degree in criminal justice.
