Karene King of Portland State will end her outdoor season at the 2011 Big Sky Conference Championships at Sacramento State sponsored by MONDO USA.
 
King will compete Friday in the prelims of the 100 meters at 4:45 p.m., and in the 200 meter prelims at 6:00 p.m. King and her teammates will compete in the 4x100 meters on Saturday at 12:15 p.m.
 
King was named to the Big Sky Conference Athlete of the Week on two occasions. First with her 4x100 team on March 22nd and individually on April 26th.
 
At the indoor championships this season, King won the 200 meters with a time of 24.10 seconds. She goes into the outdoor championships ranked first in the 200, second in the 100 behind her teammate Geronne Black, and the 4x100 team is ranked first.
 
King, from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, is a transfer student from Central Arizona and will have an indoor season left with the Vikings.
 
She took the time out of championship week to answer some questions about her goals going into championships and what her season has meant to her.
 
 
Q: It's your senior season….What are your goals for the upcoming conference championship?
A: My goals are to win conference in as many events as I possibly can.  Mainly the 200m, and finish my final outdoor season here at PSU healthy, and with a bang.
 
Q: You lead the 200 meters and are second in the 100 meters to your teammate Geronne Black. What do you think about your competition in both those events?
A: I have gotten much stronger in both events, and I am very happy with where I am right now. I'm very confident in both and know with God's help and faith I will continue to improve.
 
Q: Your 4x100 team leads the Big Sky. What is the goal for the 4x100 team at the conference championships?
A: Our goal as a team is not only to win but also to come out with a personal record and to take our team to the NCAA West Regional Championship.
 
Q: How much have your coaches helped you through your season at Portland State?
A: My coach (Ronnye Harrison) has been such a wonderful help to me through the two years I have been at Portland State. He works non-stop to make us better. He always says "never let up.” And he never lets up because he is always working on ways to improve us and make us stronger mentally and physically. He is a great coach and a wonderful person. Coaching is not just a job for him but more like a desire. He loves what he does and he takes pride in it.
 
Q: What has your seasons at Portland State meant to you and what will you miss the most?
A: My season at Portland State can't be summed up in words. The biggest mistake I made was not coming here for my four years of college. I will miss everything about it. My coach, my wonderful teammates, and all the wonderful people I have met. But until that final day come when I have to leave I am enjoying every minute of it, because I still have an extra indoor season next year.
 
Q: If you had one piece of advice to give to the other track and field student-athletes out there what would it be?
A: Being a student athlete is a full-time job. It is not the easiest thing to do, because if it was easy everyone will be doing it. Work hard, win easy. Not everyone can walk in our shoes and be a student athlete! So keep pushing on and never give up. Finally always, put God first, in everything you do.

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'don't quit'. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion!" ~ Muhammad Ali
 
Q: You were named Big Sky Conference Track Athlete of the Week on two occasions. With the 4x100 team on March 22nd and individually on April 26th. What does that mean to you and what did it mean to your 4x100 teammates?
A: Being Big Sky Conference Track Athlete of the Week means that I am doing what I came here to do which is put in work. It means a lot to the 4x100 team because it also means we are doing what we need to be doing, putting in work.