Oregon standout Alysah Hickey, the reigning Pac-12 long jump champion and Conference Freshman of the Year, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss preparation for competing in her first NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., after missing out on the spring season last year when outdoor events were canceled as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Hickey and senior teammate Rhesa Foster, a two-time Pac-12 long jump champion along with being an indoor and outdoor All-American in the event, are representing the Ducks in the June 10 final. Hickey, a two-time California state champion at Coronado High, shares her anticipation for being able to perform in front of fans at Hayward Field for the first time, as more than 4,000 spectators are expected to be allowed into the stadium, after all previous events in April and May were held without fans. She reflects on how meaningful it was for her and Foster to take the top two spots May 15 at the Pac-12 final at USC's Loker Stadium in Los Angeles, in addition to how significant it was to join Kelly Blair, Jamesha Youngblood, Jenna Prandini and Foster among the Ducks' conference long jump champions. Hickey also expresses gratitude for all her coaches, teammates and the Oregon support staff that contributed to her being honored as the conference's top freshman competitor, becoming the fourth Ducks' female athlete to receive the recognition. She examines her collaboration with Oregon head coach Robert Johnson, and explains her development and improvement in the long jump since the indoor season, in addition to the benefits of training with Foster and being able to analyze film to continue her evolution in the event. Hickey revisits the challenging weather conditions for the West Regional meet in College Station, Texas, and how she adapted to the elements, in order to produce the best all-conditions jump during the season in program history with her wind-aided 22-4.25 (6.81m) effort. Only Jasmine Todd's mark of 22-5.25 (6.84m) at the 2015 USATF Outdoor Championships is recognized as a better mark on the Oregon all-time performance list, and it also ranks among the top five jumps in West Regional history.