Rarely does the track and field realm see stories of humble beginnings ascend the stairs to glory. Daniel Simmons is one of them. The American prodigy, nimble-footed and swift as ever, zipped past his competitors to clinch glory at the Simplot Games 3200 with a whopping score of 8.48. This season, Simmons dominated the track with an impressive streak of 10 consecutive victories, highlighted by triumphs at the Utah Class 6A championship and the Nike Cross Southwest Regional Championship.
With his eyes on the prize, i.e. the bigger game in sight here, the New Balance Indoor track and field championships, he got into a tete-a-tere with Kyle Merber from the Citius Mag podcast to unveil a little bit about his illustrious sojourn so far and what the road looks like ahead for him
Daniel Simmons embracing record-breaking ambitions with panache
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In a recent interview on February 21st with the Citius Mag Podcast, hosted by American middle-distance runner Kyle Merber, Daniel Simmons was welcomed as a guest. During the conversation, Merber raised an intriguing question about the high school record, asking if Daniel Simmons considered his recent performances as setting the stage for a record attempt. Daniel Simmons’s response was unequivocal: “I would say yes. I’m definitely going for the record and hopefully well beneath it.“
Q&A: Daniel Simmons Going For High School 5000m Record At New Balance Nationals@TheRealMerb: So 13:56 is the high school record and that mark seems within reach. Are we calling this a record attempt?
🗣️ "I would say yes. I'm definitely going for the record and hopefully well… pic.twitter.com/ruL0JPTqE4
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) February 22, 2024
His confidence shone through as he expressed his ambition to not just match but surpass the existing mark of 13:56. Daniel Simmons’s recent achievements, particularly his impressive 8:48 run, instilled in him a sense of burgeoning strength and determination, fueling his belief in his ability to achieve greatness. But the questions didn’t stop there; they only spurred him on further. His partnership forged with shoe behemoth New Balance will also stand the test of time.
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A pivotal moment in New Balance epoch
When questioned about his journey as a “New Balance athlete, what’s been the coolest experience of that partnership?“ He expressed, “It’s so crazy when the big boxes of shoes and clothing come to your house. It’s just really exciting! That’s been a really fun and exciting experience. But my favorite experience was the first weekend when I knew it was official and ready to sign the contract and stuff.“ He recounted the occasion when he and his father were invited to the New Balance headquarters.
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They were given an exclusive tour of the facility. From trying out state-of-the-art equipment in the lab to feeling the personalized attention and genuine investment in his career, this encounter left an indelible mark on him, shaping his perspective on the significance of this partnership. It was a moment he cherished deeply, underscoring the profound impact New Balance has had on his athletic journey and personal growth. There’s a lot for him to look froward to professionally and we wait with bated breath.
Continue Reading: Noah Lyles Reveals About His “Nervous Energy” Before Competing Christian Coleman