FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas hurdler and graduate student Destiny Haven opened up her outdoor season with a win in the 100 meter hurdles at the Arkansas Twilight.
"I was so happy," said Huver. "I think that was probably one of the most emotional and like peppy finishes I've ever had. I did a little dance to was watching it back on video was hilarious to me."
The Milwaukee, Wisconsin native began her decorated career at Wisconsin where she earned a Big Ten title her sophomore year during the outdoor season and made it to the NCAA Championship her last two years. However, she was looking to shake things up in her final season.
"I had my Wisconsin coach actually recommend Coach Johnson," said Huven. "Just meeting him and coming here and meeting the girls, I was just like, this place is great. The facilities, the training, the girls, the atmosphere. Coach Johnson says it best, nobody has it better than us."
Now still in the cardinal and white but as a Razorback, Huven has been focusing on how to improve herself not just physically, but as a counseling major with a concentration in clinical mental health she understands how important the mental aspect is to success as well.
"I think everybody has their setbacks," said Huven. "I definitely know for myself. I have gotten into a lot of those little breakdowns of 'How did I let this happen? How did I let myself down?' It just sometimes isn't about you and forcing it to happen. Sometimes you do need to take those L's. They're also lessons to just help you build into your future success,"
Now she's hoping that success continues at the SEC Championships in Florida this week and at nationals in June in Oregon.
"My main motivation is always just to PR and help strive for the greatest possible outcome as possible," said Huven. "I really wanted to come into the team and get a winning championship both SEC and national and try to snag a few for my own,"
The SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships start on May 9 in Gainesville, Florida.