ASICS professional athlete Payton Chadwick, the 2018 NCAA Division 1 indoor 60-meter hurdles champion and 12-time All-America first-team honoree at Arkansas, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss the upcoming American Track League schedule beginning Jan. 24 at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, along with her opportunities to compete in February in France and Germany. Chadwick shares her pride and excitement for professional track events being held in Arkansas, especially following the recent cancellations of the Millrose Games in New York and USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M. She also speaks about how crucial it is for the mental health of collegiate and professional athletes who haven't raced in nearly a year to have opportunities to showcase the work they have been doing for several months in training. Chadwick, the U.S. leader in the 100-meter hurdles last year at 12.78 and the only American female athlete with multiple sub-13 performances during the outdoor season, revisits her summer schedule in Europe and how valuable the competition was, but also how much she had matured and gained confidence since her first professional opportunities overseas in 2019. Chadwick also reflects on the technical improvements she has made as a hurdler, and how a significant amount of time was focused during her fall training on explosive starts and attacking the first two hurdles, since she remains one of the best athletes during the second half of races. She reveals how meaningful it was for her and teammate and fellow ASICS athlete Taliyah Brooks to sweep the top two 100 hurdles spots at the Doha Diamond League, in addition to running a 100-meter dash at the same meet against reigning Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson Herah of Jamaica. She expresses gratitude for the chances to compete in France, Germany, Croatia, Italy and Qatar, including the ability to witness former LSU standout Armand "Mondo" Duplantis set the world outdoor pole vault record Sept. 17 at the Rome Diamond League.

DYESTAT DISCUSSIONS - EP74 - PAYTON CHADWICK