As her final season reaches full swing, NC State track and field senior standout and All-American performer Alexis Perry looks forward to more success.
A competitor in the hurdles, long jump and high jump, Perry has established elite performances in all three events. The Durham native’s history in track and field began during her middle school years.
“I started running track my sixth grade year,” Perry said. “I [began with] summer track because in middle school, you can’t run until you’re in the seventh grade. It was at that point that I got into the long jump thanks to [the encouragement of] my language arts teacher at the time.”
Within her first five years in the sport, Perry stood out from the rest of the pack, earning NCHSAA 4A State titles in the high jump, long jump and 55-meter hurdles.
Her decision to attend NC State was largely influenced by her current jumps coach, Chris Coleman. Coleman is in his eighth season with the Wolfpack and is a former Division II All-American and is in the Division II Hall of Fame.
“I met my current coach, Coach Coleman, when I was in high school at summer track nationals in Wichita, Kansas,” Perry said. “We hit it off there. Then by senior year of high school I went to the NC State track camp. He played a really big part in my coming to NC State.”
Since joining the Wolfpack, Perry’s focus has shifted from the high jump to the long jump and hurdles.
In 2015, Perry won her first ACC individual title, taking home first in the indoor long jump. In the outdoor circuit, Perry earned ACC runner-up finishes in both the long jump and 100-meter hurdles during 2014. Last spring, she finished Second team Outdoor All-American in the same events.
Her personal bests of 13.14 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and 21 feet, 1 1/2 inches in the long jump currently rank her second and first, respectively, in the NC State All-Time track and field record books.
Her trend of outstanding performances has continued this season as well. Just last weekend, she won the 100-meter hurdles at the Raleigh Relays. Despite less-than-ideal conditions, her time of 13.18 seconds was no more than the lean at the finish line away from matching her current personal record. To train for the hurdles, Perry emphasizes the mental aspect of the event.
“My hurdles coach Tamara Ards always tells me I have to visualize myself running fast,” Perry said. “I have to put myself in the race, know that I’m fast and [that] I can run fast. A lot of it is mental. The other part is running reps in practice and getting myself into the mindset, so I know when I go to the meet I can run fast and do the same thing.”
Perry’s primary goal this season is to put forth her best efforts in an effort to qualify for the US Olympic Trials in the 100-meter hurdles.
“I am looking to ultimately break the 13-second mark,” Perry said. “That is the Olympic Trials standard, [and it] would be a really good progression for me personal record-wise. I’m really looking forward to this season. It’s my last time. I’m just giving it all that I left in me.”
With an attitude of focus and determination, Perry’s last season for the Wolfpack is sure to culminate in even more achievements.
