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April 24, 2007
Virginia’s Kellen Blassingame holds the school record in both the indoor and the outdoor 400m and helped set the record in the DMR. He is a three-time All-ACC honoree, having earned as such in the ACC outdoor meet in 2004 (400) and 2005 (200 and 400). Blassingame ranks in the top-five both indoors and outdoors in the 200 and 400. He sat down with virginiasports.com to share some information about himself with UVa fans.
My primary inspiration in sports is: My primary inspiration in the sport is my desire to always do my best and make my family proud of me.
My advice to players is: My advice to other athletes is to always to believe in yourself even when you are going through hard times and success will come.
The best thing about the University is: I really enjoy the University’s grounds.
My dream vacation would be: My dream vacation would be a trip to Brazil
The best advice I ever received is…. (and from whom): My father once told me that in order to be successful, I have to want to succeed more than he (or anyone else) wants me to succeed.
My favorite moment in sports history (overall): Watching the indoor 400m record being broken at 2005 NCAA Championships.
Best track & field competition I have ever seen: The competition that I have ever seen is the 2000 US Championships.
Why I participate in track and field….: I participate in track and field because it is objective…there is no denying who is the best at any given time. I also think it is fun and the hard work put in makes success that much greater.
A brief summary of my early athletics history: I have always been running since I was about eight but I also played basketball in school. However, track was my first passion. In elementary school, we had a track and field day every year where we competed with other local school. Back then I won almost every event that I was in. That’s when I new that I really enjoyed running and I could be good.
Why Virginia?: Honestly, I did not know anything about Virginia until I applied to go to college during my senior year. Of all of my school choices, Virginia had the best combination of top ranked athletics and academics.
The most important thing I learned while participating in sports is….. I have learned that I have to keep working hard even if I fail because that is what makes me a stronger person.
What is your favorite….
…movie? Spiderman 2
…Disney movie? The Lion King
…C-ville restaurant? Downtown Grill
…UVA class? Perception
…day of the week? Thursday
…sport (other than track): Tennis
…TV show? Heroes
…actor/actress? Denzel Washington
…book? Antwone Fisher
Groups I am associated with other than track & field: Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Any community service that I do: I tutor at Charlottesville High School once a week