ORANGEBURG, SC — During cross country practice, I had the chance to speak to Nia Singleton a native of Middleburg, Florida on how her transition to Bulldog nation is going so far this season. Singleton a sophomore transfer from Claflin University and has high hopes for her time here at SC State. This will be her 4th year training as an XC runner. She started training later in her career with the suggestion of her high school coach challenging her to better in the 800 meter event.
 
Q: What actions do you take to put your best foot forward at practice?
A: Certain actions that I take is making sure I eat a meal and a snack before I practice, and stretch as best as I can before putting that work in.
 
Q: What's something you wish others knew about XC?
A: It isn't just a long race; it is also a meditation.
 
Q: What's your go-to meal before hard practice?
A: My go-to meal before a hard workout would be oatmeal.
 
Q: What keeps you pushing forward on long days?
A: Knowing that my younger self is super proud of how cool I am now.
 
Q: If you are not running on the course, what are you doing?
A: I am in bed sleeping.
 
Q: As a sophomore, what was one thing that XC quickly taught you that bettered your performance?
A: I learned that at the collegiate level, the practices/workouts are more rigorous.
 
Q: How would you rank these three essentials: eat, rest, hydrate?
A: Hydrate, rest, eating.
 
Q: It is the beginning of the season. Name one thing you want to
improve on before the championship?
A: One thing I want to improve before the championship would be my speed endurance.
 
Q: Any advice for anyone interested in starting XC?
A: I would say keep an open mind, it is quite challenging, starting off doing the long workouts, but at the end of the day, you have a goal, and it is just going to prepare you for the regular track season.
 
Rapid Fire

• Dirt road practice or repeat 400s: Dirt Road practice
• Spikes or trainers at meets: Spikes
• Go to meal after practice: Pasta
• Favorite workout so far: 45-minute runs
• Go to artist to lock in before competing: PayNetwork
• Water or Gatorade: Neither Pedialyte

 ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
FOLLOW SOUTH CAROLINA STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with SCSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.scsuathletics.com, the official web site of Bulldog athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
 Facebook: /SCStateAthletics
 Twitter: @SCStateAthletic
 Instagram: /SCStateAthletics