How did you make the final decision and who was involved?
I made the final decision by reviewing the academic and athletic support available, the facilities, the program and internships for my major and just how I felt overall. My parents were mainly involved.
What did you experience on each visit?
I had other official visits scheduled but USC was the first and I fell in love and decided to not go on the other official visits. I did go on unofficial visits to University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech and College of Charleston earlier in the year.
What were your top five choices?
University of South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, New York University.
Who was involved in the process for you?
My parents and I.
How did you get involved in the sport and why?
I started running because in elementary we had races at recess and I would always be in the front with my friend Taylor Smith and she told me about the Summerville Storm Track Club and I decided to go with her.
What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is the mental side for me. Learning how to deal with pressure and being nervous.
What did you learn from the experience?
Competing taught me how to perform under pressure academically and athletically. I especially learned how to just trust God and trust the process and not let myself become stressed due to over analyzing.
How is training this fall?
Training in the fall is the most difficult because you're getting conditioned to running again after having a break. In the fall we get in a lot of endurance and in the middle of week we work on speed and form along with weight lifting.
Any top events already preparing for the upcoming seasons?
I plan to run at New Balance Nationals Indoors in March.
Are you scheduled for any indoor meets?
New Balance Indoor Nationals.
How do you train for the variety of events?
I have weight training every other day which conditions me for speed and explosion and at track practice we are doing more endurance high rep workouts so I get in both speed and endurance.
What do you feel is your strongest event, and why?
The 400 because I have a long stride and endurance. I am finally experienced and I understand how to run it and break down every section of the race.
How do you look at your time at Summerville?
It was very eventful and filled with many peaks and pits! I've learned so much from these past four years that I'll definitely use throughout the rest of my life like how to face adversity or tough times. And learning how to how to manage my time wisely.
What will you miss the most?
I'll miss being apart of the yearbook staff. I'll miss training with my team the most and especially my Coach, Coach Oliver Savela.
How do you look at the history and being part of Summerville?
There's so much history here and it's great to be a part of it. The school's been here since the early 1900s so it went through the roaring 20s, the great depression, world war 1 & 2, the civil rights movement, integration, etc. We've had several athletic and band state championships. It's really cool that I was able to leave my mark with my 400m record. Running with Imagine Patterson (Summerville/Virginia Tech), who's a multiple national champion. Being an editor in the creation of the yearbook and being apart of the two school record breaking relays has been a great experience.
What athletic goals do you have for college and the remaining of high school track and field?
My goal at USC is to be able to contribute at the SECs and at nationals! My goal this year is to go 54.3 in the 400m and to win all the high school meets that I compete in along the way. I also intend on qualifying for indoor and outdoor New Balance Nationals in the 400.
Do you know what event you will focus on in college?
400m
What would you say is the biggest memory you have?
Winning the 400m at the 2018 Bojangles Classic and getting mid-sprinter mvp.
What do you hope to study and otherwise achieve in college?
I intend on getting my bachelor's in visual communications and hopefully travel the world as a successful photojournalist. I also want to be apart of the media production at my church.
How does it feel to have the decision made prior to the season?
It feels great to know because now I can focus on reaching my academic and athletic goals for my senior year and preparing for the next level.
How did the South Carolina coaches react when informed?
Coach Brown sounded super excited when I called and told him! Coach Savela was also excited because he and his whole family love the school!