The one voice you will likely hear during Oklahoma City University’s track and field practice is Brittany Montgomery’s.
Her “Come on, ladies” has turned into the signature phrase for the track team.
Montgomery transferred to OCU after running for St. Gregory’s for two years and has been a prominent member of the OCU track team’s inaugural season.
OCU’s first individual NAIA women’s track all-American, Montgomery has become the Stars’ motivator on the track.
“Early in the season everyone was new and making the adjustment to OCU, so I became the person that was always motivating during practice,” said Montgomery. “Pretty soon everyone looked to me for motivation and leadership during practice.”
Following Coach Mike Houston to OCU after St. Gregory’s eliminated its track program, Montgomery added two all-American titles from the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships, bringing her total to six all-American titles in her collegiate career.
“The transition to OCU was easy for me,” said Montgomery. “I really love it here. Everyone is very supportive of the team. I wanted to continue to run and finish my collegiate career, and OCU was a great opportunity for me to do that and get a great education.”
Montgomery finished fourth in the Sooner Athletic Conference meet in the 800-meter run, qualifying her to run in the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships as an individual. She will also be running the first leg of the 4x400 meter relay for OCU in the NAIA Championships on May 21-23.
“I did not run well at the conference meet,” Montgomery said. “I was having some hip problems, so I wasn’t able to compete like I would normally would. I have been working on my hip since, so I don’t think that it will hold me back at nationals.”
This will be Montgomery’s third national appearance in collegiate career.
“National meets are always really nerve-racking for me,” said Montgomery. “I get nervous preparing for the meet, but when I finally get to the track everything eases up for me and I know that I have to go out there and get it done.”
On the track Montgomery is a perfectionist and settles for nothing but the best. Montgomery finished second in the 600-meter dash in the indoor national meet as a sophomore and was determined to win the 600 in 2008. She finished second in 2008 as well, not reaching her goal, but knowing that she had run a good race.
“My biggest challenge on the track is battling myself mentally,” said Montgomery. “When I look towards a meet, I always ask myself, ‘Can I do it?’ and I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep doing better. I have to tell myself that I know I can do it, and I have to go out there and compete.”
This national championship will be different rest for Montgomery. This will be the first year that Montgomery will have women’s teammates to compete with. While at St. Gregory’s Montgomery was the only female runner on the team to go to the national championships.
“I’m just really excited to have a team to run with,” said Montgomery. “We have a really strong relay team and I am looking forward to having success with everyone.”
The 4x400 relay was named all-American in the indoor national championships, finishing in fifth place.
“This year I am looking to finish in the top three in my 800-meter run and for the relay to be named all-American,” Montgomery said. “I think the men’s and women’s teams will both do well, and I am looking forward to our overall success as a team.”
More on Brittany:
Last Book I read: The Da Vinci Code
I never leave home without: My cell phone
Favorite saying: What doesn’t kill me can only make me stronger
Facebook or MySpace: Facebook
First car I ever owned: Ford Probe
