April 20, 2016
It’s hard to say which is more impressive – the skill Courtney Clayton displays when she’s on the track or the determination she shows when she’s off it. The junior from Roscoe, Ill., has been sidelined by multiple injuries during her career at Vanderbilt, but has still managed to make a huge impact on the program, including setting the school record in the 800 for both indoor (with a time of 2:05.26) and outdoor (2:05.52) Clayton recently recovered from a bone fracture in her leg, and returned for the outdoor season.
Commodore Nation: Let’s talk a little bit about your school records. What did it feel like to put your names in the Vanderbilt record book?
Courtney: I was so ecstatic to get the records because I know it’s something that not many people get to experience, especially in their first couple years of college. At the time, I knew how bad I wanted it and I knew there were expectations for me to get it. So I was really happy when I got the records — and I’m still ecstatic about it now. I am really looking forward to trying to break (the records) this year during outdoor and next year during indoor.
Commodore Nation: What were your emotions and your mindset after you suffered another injury in December?
Courtney: I really came back hungry (after Christmas break). Even though I’m injured, I’m still working hard because I know that just because I’m injured, it doesn’t mean I can’t come back strong and have a great outdoor season.
Commodore Nation: The Vanderbilt track team has really began to make a name for itself in recent seasons. How cool is it to be apart of a program on the rise and to know you are helping lay the foundation for future success?
Courtney: I think it’s so awesome to have come in with a class that has the potential to really do some special things. I look up to the older girls and to the girls that are my age, and even the freshmen, because everyone in the program is a top-tier athlete. I hope that the freshmen also look up to us and see all the hard work we put in and know that one day all their hard work is going to pay off, too.
Commodore Nation: What’s it like to be chasing your own school records? Courtney: Well, it’s kind of like racing against myself (laughs), but at the same time, I am trying to stay up with all the top competitors in the SEC.
Commodore Nation: What is a day like when you’re not running? Or is there ever such a day?
Courtney: I’ll take a day or two off everyone once in a while. (laughs). We all do, just depending on how our bodies feel. … And for me, if I do get a day off, I’ll go to school, obviously, and do my work. If I don’t have practice at 2:30, I’ll either go to my room and watch Netflix or hang out with some friends and maybe go shopping. Just take it easy and really relax on the day that they give us.
Commodore Nation: What sports besides track do you enjoy?Courtney: In high school I did volleyball and cross country. I really like watching all the other sports, especially at Vanderbilt because we’re surrounded by athletes all the time and you get to become friends with them. Getting to know people, learning about their sport, and then getting to watch them compete is really awesome. I like supporting all the other teams.
Commodore Nation: When did you first get the nickname “Coco”? And is there a story behind it?
Courtney: During my freshman year of high school, my friends would call me “Co.” And then eventually, that got changed to “Coco Puff.” So then it got shortened to Coco. When I got to college, I told my teammates about the nickname and they picked it up.
Commodore Nation: How has your experience at Vanderbilt been thus far?
Courtney: Coming in as a freshman, I had a lot of high expectations for myself. And truthfully, I was hoping to reach those goals faster than they’ve actually happened. Even though I’ve set some records and done some good things on the track, I’ve been injured a few times, and that can be challenge, especially mentally. … Last year, during my sophomore indoor season, is when things started to take off (when she set the school records in the 800), but since then, I’ve had a couple of injuries again. So I am just looking forward to what’s ahead for me – and for our team.
