There are many members of the Georgia Southern University track and field team that contribute to the success of the team, and sophomore sports management major Stephanie Hicks is no exception. Hicks participates in five events and has had a great season so far, boasting seven top-10 finishes and another seven top-20. Last year, she made 51 top-10 finishes.

 The event that she has the most success in is the 60-meter hurdles. This year alone she has had three top-five finishes out of four meets.“I love the hurdles, that’s my baby,” Hicks said. Stephanie has been running for six years. At her high school in Trenton, N.J., she was No. 1 in the state for the 60-meter hurdles her senior year. So far she loves the South, especially the weather.

 Her parents are extremely proud and her father is her No. 1 fan. If it were possible, he’d be at every meet. Last semester there was no track season so she loaded on her classes. The heavy workload allowed her to only take 13 hours this semester, which allows her to devote the time she’d like to her team.

 “I like being an Eagle,” Hicks said. “I love my team. I’m always with them and it’s a strong sisterhood.”

 The team spends a lot of time together and the Eagles are fortunate enough to be a close squad. That’s a good thing because Hicks, along with her team, practice six days a week and they also have designated gym times. The hard work for Hicks is not a problem and it works toward her goal of winning first place in the pentathlon in the Southern Conference and putting GSU on the map.

 “In the end, all the work is worth it, and a SoCon championship is worth it. You get what you put in,” Hicks said.

 One person on the team that she looks up to is senior Millicent Brooks-Millender.  Hicks looks to her for proper technique and ways to get better at her long jumps. “I think she’s great and a hard worker. I think she’ll be better than me by the time she’s done,” Brooks-Millender said.

 In her free time, Hicks enjoys taking the all too important power nap and hanging out with her teammates. “I live with my team and we all go out together to make sure we have fun,” Hicks said.

 The SoCon indoor championships are on a banked track this year, which has her feeling confident. In high school, Hicks ran on a banked track called The Armory in Manhattan a lot, so she’s used to it, she said. When she’s done with school, Hicks is aspiring to be a sports agent or a public relations executive.

 The next meet for Hicks and the Eagles will be at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4.