Jaylah Walker, a graduate student-athlete at Azusa Pacific University and the reigning NCAA Division 2 champion in the women's 400-meter hurdles, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss returning May 26-28 to Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich., for the national outdoor final and trying to help the Cougars repeat as team champions after they prevailed with 81 points last season. Walker is scheduled to compete in the 100 hurdles, 400 hurdles and both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays for Azusa Pacific, which is scheduled to bring 16 student-athletes to Michigan. She explains how beneficial it is to have so much returning experience from last year's championship lineup, in addition to several competitors who are inspired to make a big impact in their first NCAA outdoor final. Walker also examines how significant it was to compete March 11-12 at the Division 2 indoor championship meet in Pittsburg, Kansas, and how meaningful it was to help Azusa Pacific tie for third place after having her opportunity to participate in the 2020 NCAA indoor final canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. She analyzes the depth of Azusa Pacific's lineup, including Mechaela Hyacinth in the 100 and 200 meters, Alayna Verner in the 400 meters, Jordan Hammond in the 400 hurdles, Marian Ledesma, Mikayla Akers and Briseida Garcia-Meza in the 800 meters, Jenny Sandoval in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, plus Kiayra Holmes and Trinity Miller competing in the relays. along with Chinenye Agina in the high jump, Sara Wagenveld in the pole vault, Molly Olson in the javelin, and heptathletes Nicole Warwick, Luisa Fischer and Alysa Henry. Warwick is also scheduled to compete in the long jump and javelin, with Fischer entered in the javelin as well. Walker, who ranks No. 9 all-time in Division 2 in the 400 hurdles at 57.29 and No. 20 in division history in the 100 hurdles at 13.38, emphasizes how important it will be to also have a strong Azusa Pacific men's lineup competing at Grand Valley State. She also speaks about completing her Masters degree in public health in the fall and graduating in December, looking to contribute in the hospital administration field.