Jillian Schmidt of the Cal Poly Pomona women's track and field team is in the middle of a breakthrough senior season. The Diamond Bar native tallied two "B" provisional qualifying marks last month at Cal State Northridge, putting up a high jump mark of 5-6.5 and racking up 4,940 points in the heptathlon. Both marks put her in the top 10 all-time in school history. Sports information intern Rachel Porter caught up with Schmidt to discuss her success along with what the Broncos' men's and women's track and field teams have accomplished in 2013.

Q: Growing up did you compete in any other sports? Or was track always your first love?
Schmidt: Growing up, I competed in gymnastics, dance and soccer. I wish i would have discovered my love for track earlier in life!

Q: Who was someone, or what was something that helped guide you to become the athlete you are now?
Schmidt: My family has helped guide me through my athletic career. My mom and dad both pushed me hard as a kid instilling commitment and determination into me and my older brother has always been a great role model for me to look up to. With their support I was able to be successful as a student and an athlete.

Q: What made you decide to compete in track & field in college instead of pursue a career on the pitch?
Schmidt: After competing in my first track meet, I realized how much I loved the sport and wanted to continue to compete. I still have a lot of love for soccer, which is why I will be trying out for the soccer team to finish my college career. 

Q: What do you expect from yourself this season?
Schmidt: I expect to win the heptathlon at the conference championships and then become an All-American.

Q: What is the best thing about being a Bronco?
Schmidt: The best thing about being a Bronco is being apart of the entire athletic program. There are a lot of really great people in every sport that makes me feel like I am apart of a family.

Q: What is one of your proudest sports memories?
Schmidt: One of my proudest moments was when I won the heptathlon this year at the Cal State Northridge meet.

Q: What are some of your favorite moments outside of competition?
Schmidt: One of my proudest moments outside of competition was when seven of my level 4 gymnasts that I coach received gold medals at the 2012 state meet.

Q: What are some future plans you have for yourself?
Schmidt: I plan on graduating from Cal Poly Pomona with my Kinesiology degree and then opening an athletic training clinic.

Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Schmidt: I want to go skydiving but I'm super scared to do it!

Q: What got you in trouble the most when you were a kid?
Schmidt: I would always get in trouble for talking in class.

Q: Fill in the blank: I wish I was really good at ________.
Schmidt: Singing.