Junior Jerrell Hancock, native of St. Louis, Mo., is a sprinter on the Minnesota State men’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams. Hancock has had a lot of success wearing a Maverick uniform and has won many accolades and awards for his efforts.
 
Hancock is a four-time All-American, doing it three times during the indoor season and one time during the outdoor season. His best finish during the indoor season was this past year when he finished second-place in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.17. His eighth-place finish in the 200-meter dash during the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships earning outdoor All-American honors.
 
Hancock was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 he won the championship in both the 60 and 200-meter dashes. In 2013 he took the championship in the 200-meter dash and set the NSIC record in the 400-meter run with a time of 48.48 en route to another conference title. In 2012 he set a new school record in the 300-meter run with a time of 33.54.
 
During the 2012 outdoor season Hancock won the NSIC championship in the 200-meter dash as well as the 400-meter run. Also in 2012 he set the NSIC outdoor record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 20.92.
 
“Jerrell is an outstanding athlete and a great person,” said head coach Mark Schuck. “He has one of the smoothest and fluid strides of anyone that I have coached.”
 
Who is your favorite Athlete?
My favorite athlete is Michael Johnson because he was a top athlete and strong runner. It’s fun to see someone run fast like that.
 
Do you have any pre-race rituals?
A day before the meet I fuel up on water and electrolytes. I also do a lot of stretching to stay flexible and strong so I’m not sluggish. I want to make sure I eat right and get plenty of sleep as well.
 
What is your favorite food?
I really like spicy foods but the food can’t just be spicy, it has to taste good.
 
If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
I would be a wolf because I like how they travel in packs and hunt for their prey. I also like when they howl.
 
What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
Some things I couldn’t live without are my family, friends, and faith.
 
What is the number one song played on your iPod?
I don’t have a particular song I just like listening to I just like listening to the different beats of songs.
 
How does it feel to be back-to-back NSIC Indoor Track and Field team champions?
It felt good to win individually and as a team but honestly I was just ready to go home and sleep.
 
What is the biggest difference between indoor and outdoor track and field?
In indoor track and field the track is only 200 meters and in outdoor it is 400 meters. When I run the 400-meter run indoors I feel like I can’t get up to full speed around the turns but outdoors I can reach my top speed.
 
What are your plans after college?
I want to be a track and field coach and possibly try and run in nationals and the Olympics. I also want to make sure I finish up my degree.