Reigning Southeastern Conference indoor women's pole vault champion and Georgia sophomore Julia Fixsen, who earned All-America honors last year following the cancellation of the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss becoming the first Bulldogs' athlete to capture the title since Morgann LeLeux in 2014 and preparing for a return to Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark., for the March 12 national indoor final. Fixsen reflects on she and senior teammate Kayla Smith taking the top two spots in the Feb. 27 competition at 14-5.25 (4.40m) and 14-3.25 (4.35m), and how it was part of her desire and motivation to attend Georgia to be able to build a great pole vault group under the guidance of coach Russ Johnson, and how much she has appreciated the support of head coach Petros Kyprianou to allow that event to develop and flourish during her first two years in Athens. She shares how meaningful her relationship is with Smith, who has had to overcome six surgeries to her knees and feet during her collegiate career, and how significant it was to see Smith medal at the conference final after placing fourth at the past three championship meets she participated in during 2019-20. Fixsen, who cleared 14-5.25 on her first attempt to secure the win, also reveals how the arrival of Duke transfer Kaeli Thompson, along with teammates Gracie Jauch and Courtney Long, have only added to the energy of the pole vault group, which she wants to be held in the same high regard as Arkansas on a national level. She speaks about the great depth that will be present at the national final, and how challenging it will be to secure a spot on the podium, let alone contend for the title. Fixsen reflects on her personal-best 14-7.50 (4.46m) clearance at last year's SEC Indoor final to place second behind LSU's Lisa Gunnarsson, and her growth in being able to manage her emotions during competition, in addition to trusting both her training and her faith in order to continue to perform at a high level. She also shares her collection of sketches and drawings, including an image of she and Smith embracing at last year's Razorback Invitational, along with her appreciation for American painter Bob Ross, who she showcased with a chalk drawing on a sidewalk back home in Minnesota. Fixsen's artistic talents were recently showcased by Georgia during an athletic profile as part of the program's #FindYourGreatness series.