Last month, junior Joenisha Vinson began the indoor track and field season by breaking her own school record in the 60-meter hurdle, but it appears she is not yet ready to let the ink dry on Portland State’s top time in the event.
At last week’s Cherry & Silver Invitational, the Phoenix, Ariz., native again broke the school record with a time of 8.64 seconds in the preliminary round, and went on to finish fifth overall in the event.
Vinson recently took some time away from the track to tell us a little about herself.
Vanguard: Why did you come to Portland State? ?
Joenisha Vinson:In my senior year in high school I was recruited by the track team. Maybe it’s because I wanted to try new scenery, because I’m from Arizona and the weather here is much different.
V: What is your favorite memory on the track? ?
JV:Last year, when I took third place in the indoor pentathlon—that was exciting because I wasn’t expecting to take third. That is something that I will probably never forget.
V: How does it feel to break a school record? ?
JV:It feels good. When I first did it, it was exciting, but now it’s my record that I keep breaking. So, it’s good to know that I am getting better, and improving. It’s good to know that the hard work is paying off.
V: Which is your favorite place to eat around campus? ?
JV:Taco Bell, even though my coaches don’t want me to eat there.
V: What is your favorite thing to do around Portland? ?
JV:Outside of track, I would just say exercising.
V: What is the first item that you would buy if you won the lottery? ?
JV:I would buy a house…a big house…on a mountain!
V: Do you have any hidden talents? ?
JV:I rap. My coaches know, but they have just never heard it. Some of my teammates know, but a lot of them don’t.
V: What is the last thing you cooked? ?
JV:Baked chicken, rice and broccoli. It
was great.
V: If you could attend one concert or sporting event anywhere, what would it be? ?
JV:The Super Bowl to see the Green Bay Packers versus the Steelers. I’m rooting for Green Bay.
V: What has been your favorite class at Portland State? ?
JV:A sexualities class that I had last spring. It was very interesting.
V: What is on your iPod right now? ?
JV:Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday.”
V: If you could have dinner with three people from history—alive, dead or fictional—who would they be? ?
JV:Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy.
V: Do you read the Vanguard, and if so, how often? ?
JV:I don’t really read it because I have two online classes, so I’m barely in the buildings. But I picked one up today!
V: What is the last thing you read? ?
JV:The Vanguard’s sports section.
V: Do you have a favorite superhero?
JV:I don’t have a favorite superhero. But for cartoon characters, I like Stewie from “Family Guy.” He’s funny. It’s the attitude baby.
—This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.