Name: MiKayla Turner
High school: Spring Valley
Event PRs: 400m 58.87, 200m 25.77
Hobbies: reading, writing, coloring, swimming, skating and hanging out with friends
What was your most memorable race/competition?
The sprint medley relay at Keenan when we were in third place and I was able to get us in first and win the race.
How have you handled the suspension of the 2020 outdoor season?
I've used this time to focus on what I personally needed as an athlete and this has given me a lot of time to perfect my deficiencies. We have a home gym so I've been able to do more weight training.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Breaking the 4x100m relay record at Spring Valley that was set in 1992 by Olympic Gold Medalist Monique Hennagan, Genera Moon, Amy Bettis, and Tiffany Myers.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
Putting forth effort sooner to reach my fullest potential and changing my attitude because I used to never think I was good enough.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Not being able to focus on academics because I was so focused on athletics.
What will you miss the most?
The bond I shared with all of my teammates.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Take the sport seriously while you can and don't wait until the last minute to reach your full potential.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals?
By always believing I could do better. They saw my potential at times when I didn't.
What kind of impact did your family have on your time as a high school student-athlete?
My family had a big impact because they were very supportive and played a major part in my accomplishments. All those hot summers traveling to AAU and USATF meets would not have been possible without them.
What are your college or post-high school plans?
I was recruited to run track at Western Carolina University.
What do you hope to achieve after high school?
Balancing my academics and athletics on my own without the guidance of my parents.
Do you see yourself coaching in the future? Please explain and if so, what level and why?
Possibly, but I wouldn't even know where to begin.
Shout-outs?
Coach Nate and Coach Warren for coaching my early years of recreation track and exposing me to summer track, Coach Isaac and Coach Head for taking me to the next level of my training, Coach Carpenter, Coach O'Neil, Coach Williams for the great high school track experiences and a special shout out to my parents for seeing the talent of running in me and introducing me to track.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
Run in the Olympics because that is a life-changing experience that could lead to a lot of open doors for me.
