Mackenize Carney, an Iowa State-bound senior at Waukee Northwest High in Iowa representing Xlr8 Iowa Track Club and the state record holder in the women's indoor 60-meter hurdles at 8.83 seconds, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss matching the 2019 all-time mark achieved by Peyton Steva of Iowa City West with her victory Feb. 19 at the MVP Vibe Fest Chicagoland at the Gately Indoor Track and Field Center in Chicago. Carney reflects on finishing fourth in 9.35 as a freshman at Ames High in 2019 in the race at Iowa State when Steva established the record and how that provided the inspiration for her career pursuit of the all-time mark. She revisits having to overcome back pain that limited her practice opportunities throughout the winter season and her optimism for being able to continue improvement in upcoming meets. Carney looks forward to competing again March 7 at the Dickinson Relays at Northern Iowa, followed by March 10 at the IATC state indoor girls meet at Iowa State, along with the adidas Indoor Nationals from March 18-20 in Virginia Beach. She examines the state records achieved in Chicago by fellow Xlr8 Iowa Track Club athletes Paityn Noe in the girls 3,200 meters and Jackson Mace-Maynard in the boys 800 meters, along with analyzing other impressive efforts by her club teammates and how those performances have provided inspiration for the entire group. Carney speaks about her decision to attend Iowa State and the family legacy at the university with her father Brett, along with her connection with coaches Kurtis Brondyke and Jeremy Sudbury, and how instrumental they were in her recruiting process. She also shares her optimism for the future of the Cyclones hurdling group, with Katarina Vlahovic expected to return next year, along with fellow recruits Ava Cinnamo of Minnesota, Kailynn Gubbels of Nebraska and Katie Ruffener of Ohio also signed with Iowa State. Carney previews the upcoming spring season for Waukee Northwest after contributing to Iowa 4A state titles the past two years at Waukee High, and reacts to the Drake Relays presented by Xtream and powered by Mediacom returning to a three-day schedule April 28-30 after all high school competition was confined to one day last year, resulting in her participating in four events, including becoming only the second prep female athlete in event history to win the 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles at the same meet.