By LOREN MEADOWS

GatorBaitMedia.com Football Analyst

Talitha Diggs is 19-year-old Sophomore from Saucon Valley, Pennsylvania who is looking to be part of American track and field’s future. In an event long dominated by American women she is working to make her footprint in one of track and field’s marquee races. Diggs is the reigning NCAA Indoor and Outdoor National Champion at 400 Meters becoming only the fifth woman to run sub-50 seconds at the collegiate level. While she comes from what many call the “first family” of American Track and Field Talitha Diggs looks to do things at a little quicker pace than her family.

Talitha Diggs mother is former Olympian Joetta Clark-Diggs, who along with her sister Hazel

Clark, and sister-in-law and Jearl Miles-Clark dominated America the 800 Meter Run for nearly two decades. The younger Diggs however operates in the sprints, in two short years ranks in the top 10 in Florida Gators history in the 100, 200, and 400-meter dashes. A confident athlete Diggs also focuses on her academics carrying a double major in International Studies and Political Science. With law school as a goal in the future the focus on education may come from Diggs maternal grandfather American educator Joe Clark.

With athletic pedigree and a good head on her shoulders Talitha Diggs looks to represent

herself and her country on the world’s biggest stage. Diggs, has ran the fastest time of any

American this year and is in contention for an individual spot on the Women’s National Team.

Additionally, she could earn a spot in the 4x400 relay athlete pool as well. GatorBait sat down

with the Florida sophomore to learn more about her as she was in preparation for this week’s

USATF Outdoor National Championships.

Q: “You’ve said your mother didn’t force track and field on you.” How did you develop your

interest in the sport”?

A: “I think when you know you are going to be good at something it makes it a lot easier.” “I

knew I was going to be good at track and I knew if I trained and I worked hard that I could be

good”. “I loved going to meets growing up and I loved the competition.” “So, I thought it was a

perfect avenue for me.”

Q: “Coming from such an accomplished family in the sport is there ever added pressure to

perform at a high level.”

A: “If you're born with a weight on your chest you don’t realize it’s a weight.” “So, I didn’t realize

the pressure, and it certainly never came from my family.” Outside pressure is normal but the

only standard I need to live up to is my own and God.”

Q: “How does Coach Holloway prepare the team for the SEC and National championships.”

A: “Coach Holloway will basically sit down and tell the team just do what you do, he never

mentions the team title.”

Q: “With your family background do you have any personal thoughts on the 50 th Anniversary

Title IX”? “How important is that legislation to you.”

A: “My mother’s second year at Tennessee was the first year for Title IX.” “She tells me stories

of the AIW, and how it was a completely different world.” “To see how much it has grown since then and the opportunities those women built for us so that we could be treated equally I think it is something I definitely think about being so connected to it.”

Q: “Thoughts on Name, Image, and Likeness? Where do you see NIL going as it progresses?”

A: “NIL gives an opportunity to see the differences between this year and last year and how

easy it is to connect with people.” “Also, the opportunity to represent your brand, and the

University of Florida.” “I have an agent and it’s good to have someone to help you maximize,

and think about the brands that you represent.” “NIL gives you the opportunity to learn more

about the business, and the Gator Collective has given us a chance to do that as well.”

Q: “Thoughts on Coach Holloway?”

A: “Coach Holloway and I are really close. He is like a father figure to me. “He is tough on me

he also very nurturing.” Coach Holloway knows what to say to push me.”

Q: “If you did not participate in Track and Field in what sport would you like to participate in?”

A: “I think I would be a figure skater or participate in horseback riding.”

Talitha Diggs next race is scheduled for Thursday June 23 at 10:26 Eastern Time at the USATF Outdoor National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.