Baileh Simms: A Performer on Many Stages

Baileh Simms is a performer. Whether it comes to executing on stage or as she careens in the sand pit at the end of a long jump runway, the junior and Portland State transfer, often finds herself in the spotlight. In fact, the pre-med major found another platform as one of 10 captains for the Oklahoma track and field teams within months of arriving on campus - she had yet to compete in a meet when captains were selected. However, it did not take her long for her to prove to herself in competition, recently becoming third all-time at OU in the long jump (20-5.00). Midway through her first indoor season as a Sooner, the All-American is challenging herself to play a more vital role for the team, Big 12 scorer and NCAA qualifier. As she continues to prepare for her starring role, she took a moment away from center stage to open up about dance, why she wants to be a doctor, and transitioning to a new program.

ON TRANSFERRING TO OU:

"I've always had change in my life. I've been to about 12 different schools, not including colleges. I'm used to change and I can adapt well. Even though I didn't know the women or the team yet when I came on my visit to Norman, after I met Coach V (Jim VanHootegem), there was a reassurance that he knew what he was talking about and I knew I could be successful here. I talked to Coach (Ronnye) Harrison (the former head coach at PSU) and was like 'you know what, I think it's just time for me to take a leap of faith and go do something I've always wanted to do.' I've always wanted to be in a Division 1 field, and now that I'm able to do that I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity. Competing here, I feel like I'm exposed to the best of the best 24-7.

"I've really liked being at OU. The big Sooner Oath banquet that we had at the beginning of the year with all of the other athletes is definitely something we wanted to establish at Portland State. The other activities and opportunities we have here at OU are nice because you have the chance to meet the different teams. I feel like I'm more connected to different teams here. One thing that stuck out to me is that the administration really does work to involve and unite the whole athletic community so it's not so separate."

Baileh Simms used dance as an outlet as she was growing up. She attended the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences and was casted for Beauty Shop (top left, left singer).

ON PARTICIPATING IN THE PERFORMING ARTS THROUGHOUT HER LIFE:

"For me, track is fun, but dance is more of an outlet for issues I might be having. It relieves stress for me. I did modern, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, and lyrical dancing. One of the schools I went to was the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, and dance was one of the major programs. It was called "Dancesation." There was a "Company A" and "Company B." Company A was the better company and that's the one I was in. I'm not involved with dancing anymore, but when I hear music, I can see choreography in my brain. I've always wanted to just go to a studio and start dancing, but I don't have the time to do it because track is my focus. I really like dancing to gospel music because it's interpreting the music. I like dancing to Yolanda Adams, Mary-Mary, and Kirk Franklin."

ON RECORDING THE THIRD BEST MARK IN THE LONG JUMP IN PROGRAM HISTORY:

"Being third all-time at Oklahoma is an honor, but I'm still reaching for the record because I'm looking to be the best. Until I had a good jump at the Arkansas meet, there was a lot of technical stuff going through my head - 'push in the ground.' When I was running this time, I just let myself go and didn't think about it. I have the tendency to sometimes overanalyze, instead of just going to practice to work on those technical things and then showing up at the meet and competing. Before that mark, I was just like 'man I am stuck in these 19s (foot jumps) -- when am I going to get out of it?' I was really hoping for a big jump at that meet. I really wanted to step up because, I knew from the competition there, 19 was not going to be acceptable. It felt really good being able to jump 20 feet again -- I was kind of stuck. To have that feeling again and know that I can do even better is a great feeling. I had jumps that were 21 (feet) at the Arkansas meet, but had very small fouls. Taking that risk and knowing where I can go feels good."

Simms, a junior transfer from Portland State, in third all-time at OU in the indoor long jump with a mark of 20-5.00 recorded on Jan. 30 at the Razorback Invitational. She also comes to OU as a second team All-American in the outdoor long jump, an honor she earned while at PSU.

ON BEING A PRE-MED MAJOR:

"I've known I wanted to be a doctor since I was seven. I have a fetish with the way doctor's gloves smell. I stole them from the doctor's office every single time I went. I would just sniff them and put them on. When my mom got hurt, I would be like 'what's wrong with your foot?' and put the doctor gloves on. I'd examine her foot and tell her what was wrong, even though I had no idea. For Christmas, I would ask for a doctor's kit or something like that.
Even as a five-year-old in daycare, I used to go and play with the babies. I could barely hold myself up, but I was still trying to hold the babies. I've just always been drawn to helping children."

ON BECOMING A TEAM CAPTAIN:

"I think I adapt easily. When I came to Norman, even though I had been second team All-American and to nationals, I didn't come in as a cocky person. I came humble and just ready to work. I reached out to meet different people, long distance, sprinters, and all of the event groups. When I came to practice, I had a type of focus about me, I guess. I really think it's just my adaptive personality that the coaches saw. I also work hard in the classroom and I try to have success in both pieces of my life, academics and athletics."