University of Minnesota Athletics
Warm-Up Lap: Q&A with Bolade Jinadu
2/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
By Jordyn Anderson, Athletic Communications Student Intern
Feb. 16, 2017
MINNEAPOLIS -- It was quite the meet at the Music City Challenge last weekend for redshirt sophomore Bolade Jinadu, from PRs in both the 200m and 400m to being told she would run on the 4x400-meter relay with the 'A' team moments before the race -- only to split 54.11 and solidify her place in Minnesota's recordbook.
"The 4x400m relay last weekend was cool," director of women's track & field and cross country Matt Bingle said. "At the very last minute, I put Bolade on as the anchor. Emerald was not feeling well after running the open 400m, and she tried warming up but just couldn't do it, so Bolade filled in."
Minnesota's 'A' team of Erin Hawkins, Brieasha Hobbs, Rachel Schow, and Jinadu ran 3:39:59 to win the relay title at the Music City Challenge title and post the team's fastest 4x400m time of the season, but it didn't stop there. The Gophers also clocked the fifth-fastest 4x400m time in program history.
"It was just unbelievable," Bingle said. "I told Bolade literally five minutes before the race that she was off the 'B' team and running the anchor on the 'A' team. She ran 54.11 and ran down the lead team. We were in second or third place when she started, and she blew by the other runners.
"Everybody was all over her after the race, which was cool, they were all so excited. Overall, it was a great energy meet for our team. They really poured into each other and were excited for each other."
Though only a redshirt sophomore, Jinadu will be graduating in May, completing her degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota in just three years.
Gophersports.com sat down with the Prior Lake, Minn., native to break down her performance at the Music City Challenge, talk about her third PR of the season in the 400m, which she clocked at 55.64 seconds, and discuss her plans for after graduation.
Gopher Sports: What were your initial thoughts when Coach Bingle told you that you were running on the 4x400-meter relay with the 'A' team?
Bolade Jinadu: At first I thought he was kidding, and then I looked at his face and saw that he was being serious. Initially I was really nervous, and then he reminded me that it would be the same thing as running with the other 4x400m relay, I would just be getting it over with sooner. That helped calm my nerves.
GS: How did you prepare yourself? Were you able to take some time and get yourself ready to run on short notice?
BJ: It happened so fast, but at the same time that probably helped me because I didn't have the time to start overthinking about it too much.
GS: Would you consider this to be one of your most craziest track & field moments, or is there something else that ranks ahead of this?
BJ: Yeah, it probably would be the craziest, and the most exciting, too.
GS: What was it like to be put in this situation and come out running the fifth fastest 4x400m relay in program history?
BJ: It was really exciting because I didn't realize how well we did. It kind-of helped me see that it is possible for me to do better and keep improving in each and every meet, which is a great feeling to have, especially at this point in the season.
GS: You just recorded your third 400m PR of the season, what things have you been working on to keep improving your time?
BJ: Really listening to Bingle. Before going into each race, he gives me some tips on what to do. A lot of the times I kind-of forget what he said right before the race, but this weekend it actually worked out and I remembered what he said to do, which really helped everything go perfectly.
GS: What are your plans for after graduation?
BJ: I'm planning on taking a year off and building up my resume with working and volunteering, and then going to PA (Physician Assistant) school.
###
Players Mentioned
