Interview With Millie Klefsaas


(Photo provided by Millie Klefsaas)

First of all, how did you first start doing track?

I first started track in eighth grade after a failed attempt at golf. I originally started to stay in shape for gymnastics but it quickly became something I really loved to do.

 What are all your personal records?

Pole Vault: 12'

100m Hurdles: 14.91

300m Hurdles: 46.8

 Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?

Gymnastics is the only other sport I participated in. I started gymnastics when I was 7 and competed through high school. I think a lot of my success in track is due to what I have learned from gymnastics. 

 What were some of the things you picked up in gymnastics that helped you in track?

A couple things come to mind---the first is body awareness and the second is upper body strength.  Because I had spent a lot of time learning to twist, flip and get my body into specific positions, a lot of pole vault came very naturally to me. There are even some tricks in gymnastics that require the same take off as pole vaulting.  So that kind of cross-over definitely helped me.  

 What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?

I really love competing in the State Meet and the Hamline Elite Meet. It's fun to compete against some of Minnesota's best athletes. Something really memorable from the State Meet last year was breaking the Class A record in pole vault and winning the State Championship, especially after some misses at lower heights. 

 Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?

I don't really have any favorites. I enjoy competing against all sorts of people and getting to know them. I'll love racing and jumping against anyone who shows up. 

 What is your favorite or most effective workout you've done?

For hurdling, I have found that running 12 hurdles over 100 meters has been an effective way to learn to maintain my speed.

 Who are some of the people that have been most helpful to you as a track athlete?

When I started as an eighth grader I had no idea what I was doing and Jaelin Beachy (a junior on my team) really took me under her wing and encouraged me and taught me to really push myself. I have also had a lot of coaches along the way who really invested in me and taught me everything I know and most of them have been volunteers. They are Ron Beachy, Tony Spandl, and Brock Spandl and without them, you probably wouldn't have asked me for this interview. 

 

(Photo provided by Millie Klefsaas)

What are your main goals for this upcoming season?

I really like to dream big so I think my goals would be to break the State record and run a 14.5 100m hurdles and repeat my State titles. 

 You were 3rd-place in the 300 hurdles at State your sophomore year, and then you won pole vault and the 100 hurdles last year. No Minnesota girl has ever won the 100H/300H/PV triple in either class. Do you think you could be the first?

Haha, nope! I'm actually thinking about giving up the 300 hurdles come sections this year.  What I'm realizing is that the timing during competition is too tight.  I don't think I could compete in the 300 hurdles well and still be able to pole vault well.  Last year at State, the 300 hurdles were run right as I was going in to 11 feet on pole vault.  I feel like if I had run the 300s I wouldn't have had enough gas to finish pole vault as well as I did.  

 Do you have any college plans?

I am planning on running track at North Greenville University in South Carolina next year and studying Sports Management with an emphasis in coaching. 

 What were your biggest attractions to North Greenville University?

I wanted to go somewhere warmer where I could pole vault AND hurdle.  My pole vault coach actually knows the coach at this school so that made me feel more comfortable.  I like the area (beautiful mountains), I liked the coaching staff and I think I can be successful in this conference.  I also got a nice scholarship to help seal the deal!

 Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?

I have to eat a #4 Turkey Tom from Jimmy Johns before I can compete.

 How did that tradition start?

I never used to eat before competitions but that stressed my mom out.  She started bringing me food and one day brought me the #4 Turkey Tom from JJ.  I had a great meet that day and we jokingly said it must have been the #4.  My mom bought me that sandwich again the next time for good luck.  And it pretty much took off from there!

 When not hurdling barriers or vaulting bars, what might we find you doing?

In the little spare time that I have, I will probably be in my bed icing and watching "The Office". I also like going other sporting events and cheering on my classmates.

 Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.

I have been stung by a Jellyfish.