Manika Gamble holds five High Point University women's track & field records. On April 2, she ran against a national-class field at the Pepsi Florida Relays and set not only the HPU record but the Big South Conference record in the 400-meter hurdles. With all her success coming as only a sophomore, Gamble says she faces her biggest opponent before every race, her nerves.

“The Florida Relays is the most nervous I have ever been before a race,” Gamble said. “The nerves were unreal. I had no appetite, butterflies in my stomach, my heart was racing and every possible negative thought was popping up in my head. Right before the race I just found a way to calm myself down. I talked to my mom and she reminded me that no matter what, it is just a race.”

The talk with her mother certainly helped as Gamble finished tenth in the 400-meter hurdles, setting the HPU and Big South record with a time of 58.56. All nine of the competitors who finished ahead of Gamble will likely be at the NCAA Championship, including the winner of the event Queen Harrison of Virginia Tech who was a member of the 2008 United States Olympic team.

“I was just so happy to be finished with that race,” Gamble said. “It was days of nervous energy over in 58 seconds. I went in to that race just wanting to not have any regrets when it was over. I didn't hold anything back and I was very happy with the result.”

Along with the 400-meter hurdles Gamble holds the HPU outdoor record in the 100-meter hurdles (13.96) and has the indoor records in the 55-meter hurdles (8.46), 200-meter (25.04) and 400-meter (55.93).

“It is nice to have five school records but I don't focus on them,” Gamble said. “I just move on to the next race. There are certain ones that mean more to me than others though. The 400-meter indoor record and the 400-meter hurdles outdoor are certainly the ones I am most proud of. To know that the 400-meter hurdlesis the fastest time in the history of the Big South is a major accomplishment. I will appreciate more when I am done I think.”

Gamble has learned to harness her nervous energy before races but it almost kept her from continuing to run in college. She did not pursue any college scholarship and almost passed on the offer from HPU head coach Mike Esposito.

“I never wanted to run in college,” she said. “People told me I had the ability but I really wasn't interested. I knew how nervous I got before races and didn't really want to experience that for another four years. Coach Esposito called me and I decided it wouldn't hurt to visit. I loved campus and it was the only visit I went on. I really liked it here and it is only four hours from home.”

While Gamble may have been unsure about her start in college competition there is no mistaking her competitiveness now. She already has five records as a sophomore but she said she will break those records before she graduates.

“I want to break them,” Gamble said. “I plan to.”

Gamble is currently ranked 14th in the nation in the 400-meter hurdles and 12th in the east. On May 27 she will compete at the NCAA Regional in Greensboro, N.C. If she finishes in the top 12 in that race she will head to Eugene, Ore. for the NCAA Outdoor Championship.

“I try not to set concrete goals,” Gamble said. “I just want to focus on each race and not on goals. If I focus too much on nationals I will go insane but I really think I can make it and do well.”

Gamble began running in junior high school after someone suggested to her that she try out for track & field.

“We were outside playing kickball or something and when I was running the bases someone saw me and suggested I try track,” Gamble said. “I joined the team in eighth grade and it came really naturally. In high school I just ran, I won based on athleticism and not technique. When I got here coach told me my technique was wrong and I needed to work on things a lot. We had to make changes and I still don't really run perfectly and my form is wrong a lot of times. I am constantly working on it but it is hard to change something you have been doing for years.”

Gamble will compete at the Big South Outdoor Championships this weekend, running the 100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay.

“At the Big South Indoor Championship I ran too many events and got really burned out,” Gamble said. “For outdoor I just wanted to focus on a few events and really do well. If I execute the way I am supposed to I can win those events.”