Q&A: Laidler Breaking Records, Staying True to Himself

Sprints Q&A
One of the fastest sprinters in program history, Antonio Laidler has made his mark on IU's Track and Field team since transferring in before the 2021-2022 season.

After running at Quincy University at the Division 2 level out of high school, Laidler came to IU to work with associate head coach Ed Beathea and join a sprints group that featured 2022 national runner up Rikkoi Brathwaite.

In his time in Bloomington, Laidler has dropped his personal bests down to 6.68 (60 meters), 10.20 (100 meters) and 20.97 (200 meters).

He is No. 3 in program history across 60 meters and matched Brathwaite's program record in the 100 meters. His time in the 100 meters was the fastest run by an IU sprinter inside the collegiate season.

As tough and versatile as they come, Laidler will run any event he's asked. He runs second leg for the Hoosiers 4x100 relay team and can be often found running the 4x400 relay as well.

We caught up with the Big Ten's runner-up over 60 meters to talk his track career, the adjustment from Florida to Indiana and his goals for the outdoor season.

Why did you start running track?
"It was never a part of the plan. It was really God's plan. In high school, I was a football player. I was never interested in running track. Once I started going to church with my grandfather, my whole perspective as an individual and athlete changed.

What's your favorite part about track?
"Ever since I started running, I just felt free. I felt free from all my problems and everything I faced such as living situations and my community. It provided something special for me."

When did you know you wanted to run in college?
"I kind of new in my senior year of high school. I was going to school for ball but then that changed. My first two years, I was at Quincy University and I realized that track was something I wanted to do. Ever since I got there, I had the main focus of competing at the highest level and seeing where I could go. It's been history since then. I ended up at IU which is a great opportunity for me."

What drew you to Indiana as a transfer?
"Coach Beathea. Definitely. The way he broke everything down and his philosophy and what he's trying to accomplish. It aligned with what I wanted to accomplish. I was able to figure that out and everything else about IU was perfect."

How have you seen yourself grow?
"I was always trying to figure out how to get to the next step and how to succeed. When I was able to just trust the process and trust what coach was doing with me, everything kind of just changed. My whole narrative of coming to practice, working extremely hard to get to the next level."

What did it mean to be a Big Ten runner-up in the 60 meters this year?
"It really felt good, knowing that everything was starting to pay off. I was here throughout the summer just continuing to get hard. Seeing myself jump to the runner-up in the 60 meters was amazing. I had to look back and see that I was doing the right thing and knowing that I can continue growing and taking the right steps."

How is it like working with the rest of the sprints group?
"Basically, coming together as a whole. We've got to be with each other at all times and display our best efforts. I've been learning from them as well to see what they expect in their own growth. Being a part of that group, it helped me see different perspectives and philosophies. It became great for me to challenge myself every day."

How do you prepare yourself each week to run different events?
"I keep my faith throughout the week. I prep myself each and every day. But I keep myself in the right mind space and challenge myself every day. Just being faithful and trusting God with what he's going to do with my life."

What's your academic schedule look like?
"I'm majoring in Sports Marketing. I've transitioned over. I'm looking forward to graduating in 2024. I've got one more year to run."

What're you looking forward to most in the outdoor season?
"I'm just looking forward to winning a championship with our team. I want to see how far we can go. But I just want to continue getting better, sticking to the course and executing."

What's the biggest adjustment from Florida to the Midwest?
"The biggest adjustment is the weather. It took me a while. Ever since being here I've learned a lot from different people and different cultures. It was a major change, especially indoors because we didn't have that in Florida."

What's your favorite event?
"My favorite event is the 200 meters. In high school, I never liked it. But once I started to train for it and to see how far my body can go, I definitely feel like that's the event for me."

Indiana University Athletics

Q&A: Laidler Breaking Records, Staying True to Himself

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