scrunners.com reporter
GREENVILLE -- J.L. Mann’s Briana Nelson signed to continue her track and field career at the University of Texas on a full athletic scholarship in front of supporters in the school's auditorium.
Her dreams of becoming an Olympian played a major role in her decision.
"I really feel like Texas is the best school to get me ready for that. They have a great 400-meter program," Nelson said. "I’m really excited about getting the good training I need to hopefully make the 2012 Olympics."
But she knew she wanted to be a Longhorn once she visited.
"I had a good feeling after leaving the campus that that was where I wanted to be," she said. "I really couldn’t find anything bad about it."
Mann coach George Moss sees Nelson in the upcoming Olympics.
"It means a lot because Briana worked hard throughout her career to get where she is today," Moss said. "She made the right decision. You’ll see her in the Olympics one day -- I have no doubt about that."
But that doesn’t mean Nelson won’t return to her roots at Mann.
"Even when I come back in the summer, I plan on trying to help out," she said. "Mann has been my home for the last six years, so I couldn’t imagine not being involved with the team."
But her immediate family receives most of the credit for her success.
"Ever since I was nine-years-old, I’ve been at this. I don’t think [my parents] have ever told me, 'No, you can’t go to that track meet,'" Nelson said. "They sacrifice a lot and I’m so thankful for them."
Former coach and family friend T Rendleman knows "she will be in the Olympics [in] 2012."
"[Briana] is a beautiful young lady," he said. "She has awesome potential."
Catching up with Mann alumna Briana Nelson
Jul 30, 2016