Sprinter and hurdler Emmi Scales has built a strong track career at the University of Kentucky for the past three years, emerging as one of the program’s top performers. The Chicago native has consistently pushed the mark with new personal bests, even highlighted by winning gold in the women’s indoor 60-meter hurdles.
One of her main reasons as to why she chose to become a Wildcat was coach Lonnie Greene, who has been the head track and field coach since 2018.
During Scales’ indoor season, she was named SEC Women’s Co-Runner of the Year, earning her first collegiate medal at the SEC Championships in the women’s 60-meter hurdles final with a time of 7.85 seconds.
Scales has been making a name for herself during her time at Kentucky, being a two-time USTFCCCA Academic All-American and a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.
During the Tiger Paw Invite in Clemson, SC, Scales reclaimed the top spot in the national 60-meter hurdles rankings with a time of 7.86 seconds in the semifinal round, which moved her into second all-time in Kentucky history.
The Wildcats recently traveled to Austin, Texas, where Scales had excellent performance in all her events, where she earned a new personal best and win in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
“Austin was great. I walked away with a new personal best and a win in the 100-meter hurdles, and me and my teammates were all able to run in the final – which was a great accomplishment within itself, and I think we’re all pleased with our times and we’re all happy to show, you know, ‘Hurdle U’ in Austin,” Scales said.
After the performance that Scales had in Austin, she believes the name “Hurdle U” is coming back for Kentucky, a program that historically has dominated in hurdles. The junior has consistently had a hold on both indoor and outdoor hurdles for Kentucky.
“Yeah, I mean there’s so many greats that have come forward, especially in the hurdles. That’s what I think I’m knowledgeable about, because that’s what I participate in. But I mean, I just feel like I’m meant to carry on the legacy, me and my teammates and my coach as well,” Scales said.
Scales looks up to a lot of the past runners who have held the Hurdle U legacy, such as Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
“I think so far we’ve been doing a great job of that because, I mean, I think we got our name Hurdle U back. I think it should definitely stick this year, but yeah, I mean Sydney, Jasmine, Penny Harrison, all the greats that have been here, it’s just, you know, it’s a big shoe to fill for sure. But I think it’s also extremely motivating, and yeah, we’re gonna continue the legacy,” Scales said.
This past week, Scales landed herself at No. 1 in the national women’s 100-meter hurdles rankings.
“Yeah I do definitely feel the pressure and I think I self reflected a lot too, when I think about, again, the magnitude of the school and its background,” Scales said. “But I mean, I’m really just trying to stay grounded and remember that it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to even attempt to continue the legacy and you know it’s kind of a pressure into motivation and determination to achieve my goals.”
Just one week after the NCAA Indoor Championships, the Wildcats opened up their outdoor season at the Black and Gold Challenge in Orlando, Florida. Scales’ outdoor season opener was at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas.
“Yeah I think the transition can be heavy at times, but you also don’t really have time to think about that. That aspect of it, because the transition happens so fast, you almost don’t have time to really think about what’s happening,” Scales said. “For me personally, I usually only run the 60-meter hurdles indoors and then outdoors the 4x100m and the 400 and the 100-meter hurdles. So jumping from one event to three can be a little tiring, definitely more pressure because more events to perform in, but I mean I’m happy that I get to be on the track more.”
The transition from indoor to outdoor can be a challenge, but for Scales, she enjoys the pressure that comes with it. The Wildcat also knows that she cannot have an “off” day during this stretch.
“Each week we’re not competing is a work week. So, this week we push in the weight room, we push out here on the track and just try to get 1% better everyday.”
Next up for Scales will be heading down to Gainesville, Florida, for the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational. The three-day event will be held from April 16-18.
