Tokunbo Adeniji describes herself as extremely energetic and naturally inquisitive. Maybe that's why running the 400 meters at Cal Poly Pomona is a natural for the German-born, Nigerian-raised Bronco sprinter. 

“I think it's more of an outlet to burn off energy,'' she said with a laugh. “I'm not one to sit around and wonder. I like to be active.'' 

That's a spot-on self-description because it didn't take long for the 20-year old to sit down and fidget once this interview began. Within a few moments, she picked up a few items from the desk in the SID office and toyed with them. She gingerly picked up a framed picture and then worked her way to a relay baton. 

All the while, it didn't seem out of place to make herself feel at home. When you've traveled as much as she has, adapting seems to be the norm. 

Adeniji has been a vital member of the Broncos' women's track and field team in her four years. She is a two-time NCAA championships qualifier in her chosen event – the 400 meters – and she has big plans for the month of May. 

It's all about hitting her times for Adeniji, who goes by the nickname "Tokkie.''

“There's nothing like setting a goal or reaching a certain time that coach wants you to run,'' she said. “I love to hit my times.'' 

That sense of curiosity has been a boon for her success, according to head coach Troy Johnson. 

“Once Tokkie built confidence in her ability, her times have dropped,'' he said. “She came in with a bunch of natural ability. She kept improving and carried it over to meets.'' 

This week the Broncos prepare for the CCAA Championships to be held in La Jolla at UC San Diego. Adeniji has earned two straight All-CCAA honors by finishing second in the 400 in her sophomore and junior years and ran at the 2008 and 2009 NCAA Championships.

She'd like to do one better at this week's CCAA meet and then move on to the NCAAs for the third straight year. 

“Yup, I want to hit 54 big time,'' said Adeniji, who owns a personal-best time of 55.33 seconds run at UCLA's Drake Stadium in March. “If I can get into the 54s, that should get me inside the top eight at nationals. And that's huge, because I'd love to become an All-American.'' 

Adeniji will compete in the 200 and both relay races along with her specialty at this week's CCAA Championships. The competition will be fierce as defending CCAA 400 champion and returning NCAA 400-hurdle champion Christine Merrill of UC San Diego will run on her home track. 

The 400 may be the tightest race this week as a five runners have run 55.39 or better. Nancy Blake of Cal State Dominguez Hills owns the top time of 54.96. 

And what about that magical 54 barrier? Well, Coach Johnson says if you take your best 200 time and multiply it by two and add 3.5 seconds, that sets up your potential 400 time. 

That mathematic equation equals a time of not just in the 54s, but 53.9. 

Adeniji was born in Germany, and then moved to Nigeria where she spent most of her youth until the 10th grade. Her family returned to Germany, and moved on to Southern California six years ago. 

Home became Pomona as her mother and her sister, Honey, moved in with their uncle. Tokkie attended Diamond Ranch High School and it was there that she improved her sprinting ability. 

“My sister and I kind of formed our own track team in Nigeria, but it wasn't like running for a team in the states. When this became home, I figured it might be a good way to meet people.'' 

That worked out just fine. While at DRHS, perhaps just 10 minutes south of the CPP campus, she quickly became more and more suited to running the 400. She earned times in the 58s and caught the eye of the former coaching staff, led by since-retired Jim Sackett. 

“One day my high school coach told me that Poly was interested in me,'' she said. “I couldn't believe it. Why me? And then when they watched me run, I was horrible.'' 

Adeniji will graduate in June with her degree in biology and wants to earn her master's in nursing. 

“I love to help people,'' she said. “By pursuing a medical field career, I can help people. Plus, it helps that it's a career that always will be in demand.''