ROCK HILL, S.C. – On this episode of "Ever Stand at Home", Alyssa Sconzo caught up with three-time Big South champion Jalen Hodges of Winthrop's Track & Field team. They chat about Hodges' decision to return for another year, the offseason, goals for 2021 and more!
 
AS: "How have you been spending your time the last couple of months?"
JH: "Honestly, I've been doing a lot of working out. I've been working out more than I ever have. I've been working out with a friend back home and we've just been trying to push each other. Other than that, my internship ending up getting canceled, so I'm at home, just trying to get a certification or two this summer."
 
AS: "Have you watched any good movies or shows lately?"
JH: "Not really … actually I watched Bad Boys for the first time, I've never watched Bad Boy I or II. I watched both of those last week."
 
AS: "So, going back to the beginning, how did you end up at Winthrop and what was it about the Track & Field program that made you want to come here?"
JH: "I ended up at Winthrop because 1, my dad is from South Carolina so he wanted me to venture and see the schools in South Carolina. I was actually really interested in basketball and I remember I was trying to contact the basketball coach. I talked to the basketball coach but I really ended up talking to the track coaches. I ended up showing out my senior year in track. I got to talk to them then, came on a recruiting visit during Winthrop's spring break. Some of the guys on the team , the older guys like Malachi Young, Quemell Brave, they were talking to me all summer and just made me feel very welcomed."
 
AS: "You recently made the decision to return for another year after COVID canceled the 2020 outdoor season. What went into making that decision for you?"
JH: "For one, I felt like it would be a good thing to spread my schedule out a little bit and focus in on the high jump and doing my best so I'm ready for graduation. So, I pushed my graduation back and decided to focus in on everything and giving it one last shot. Two of my best friends at school Colby (Thorn) and Evan (Hailes), I'm sure you know them, are coming back as well so we're excited. We're trying to win all of the field events this year."
 
AS: "You'll return as a three-time conference champion. What are your goals for 2021?"
JH: "Definitely to win again. But without a doubt I want to beat the school record for high jump – the outdoor record. I have to beat it. That's the last thing I have to do. I'm going for it."
 
AS: "This offseason probably looks a little different but what does it typically look like for you and what are you working and improving on?"
JH: "Typically, I used to work out with a trainer here in Atlanta but the price range is kind of crazy right now – he's starting to train some real athletes so I can't afford that. So, I've just been working with a friend and we've been doing leg day one day and another day we'll do chest and biceps and then we'll do something else. Just trying not to over push a certain muscle but keep them all in rotation."
 
AS: "I have a couple of rapid fire questions for you, okay? Funniest teammate?"
JH: "Evan."
AS: "Best dancer on the team?"
JH: "Colby."
AS: "Who has the best style, your most stylish teammate?"
JH: "Probably Benji."
AS: "Teammate that is most likely to be late for practice?"
JH: "Me!"
AS: "Teammate you'd most want to be stuck in quarantine with?"
JH: "Tre Jenkins."
AS: "Why?"
JH: "Me and Tre, we started freshman year. He was like the first person I really met at Winthrop, during orientation. Tre is the first person I met so, we have chemistry. I can hang with Tre."
AS: "Alright your best Coach Paxton or Coach Schreiner impression."
JH: "*laughing* I can't even do it. Coach Schreiner is hilarious – somewhere always along the lines of "Go, Go, Go, Go!" – something along those lines. What would Paxton say? He's normally the guy when he's coaching me he's not too extra. He just lets me do my thing and then he'll give me a few tips on the side. I don't have much on him."
 
AS: "Thank you so much for your time today. We can't wait to see you next season!"
JH: "Thank you!"