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 Q:
Talk about your first
encounter with
sports...
A:
My first encounter with sports
was at my elementary school, Arthur Slade Regional Catholic
School. They offered soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and
track (although you couldn't run track until you were in
sixth grade). I played soccer for nine years and basketball
for eight years. I was such a tomboy, I even used to try to
play football with the boys at recess! Since I was a skinny
little thing, with lots of energy and speed, whatever sport
I was playing I seemed to be running a lot, so my parents
found these fun age group track meets in the summer for me
to run in, beginning when I was seven. I think they were
held in Annapolis, Maryland. I remember winning a lot of
blue ribbons. I also took gymnastics, tennis, and horseback
riding lessons.
Q:
What led or motivated you to
play?
A:
I can't really pinpoint one thing that really made me want
to play. My love for sports started at an early age; they
always seemed to be a part of my life. I was an athletic
kid, and very competitive, I loved to win. I relished being
the first girl picked in gym class when we formed teams. I
think I realized at a young age that I was naturally good at
some things, and sports were one of them. My parents,
especially my Dad were a big influence. In terms of track,
by the time I was in eighth grade I started running summer
track under the AAU and USATF organizations. After
performing well, I realized that out of all the sports I
played, I was the best at track; running just seemed to be a
God-given talent. I decided that I would only pursue track
in high school. In seventh grade, I started looking at what
high school I would attend. The one that I was seriously
looking at did not have a track team, so that year my father
went over there and started a track team, just so that by
the time I came, one would already be established!!
Unfortunately, (or fortunately) I ended up going to McDonogh
School instead.
Q:
In your hometown, what was the sports culture like for
girls?
A:
Since I went to
elementary/middle school in another town, I didn't know many
people in my hometown of Severn. I think there were
opportunities, but they were limited to certain sports.
There was the Severn Athletic Club, where kids could play
football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball,
according to their age groups. My eighth grade year, some of
my friends and I played in the 12-13 year old girls' soccer
division. I guess the goal of the organization was to allow
kids to play sports all year round, especially those who
didn't have the chance to in their specific schools,
although there were fees to pay. Growing up in the suburbs
and attending private schools, I just assumed that everyone
could play sports. It wasn't until I ran summer track for a
Baltimore City team called Ed Waters Track and Field
Alliance that I realized that not all kids, especially
girls, had the advantages and opportunities to play any
sport they wished. For African-American girls in the city it
seemed that their only hope was in track or basketball. Even
I didn't know about lacrosse and field hockey until I
entered high
school!
Q:
How did you get to where you are today and what would you
attribute that to?
A:
Well first off, I had to have some kind of natural talent. I
mean you can practice all you want, but you have to start
off with some kind of athletic prowess. To that I can only
thank God and some good genes! I also know that I have been
very blessed with parents and a background that has given me
the opportunities to pursue my dreams, especially my
athletic ones, regardless of the cost. Also, dedication,
drive, and support. As much as I loved sports there were
days when I didn't want to practice, especially on those 90
degree summer afternoons!! I had to learn dedication from my
parents who would sometimes have to supportively push me to
practice. I had to first find my passion and my love for
running before I could be dedicated and have that drive to
continue to pursue excellence. I found that passion 10th
grade when I developed a stress fracture in my shin. I
couldn't run for half of the season. Before that track was
just something I was good at, but when you are sitting on
the sidelines watching everyone else, you really learn how
much you care about something.
Q:
What has playing sports done
for you?
A:
Sports are awesome, because they help produce qualities that
are needed for the real world. Sports have taught me
dedication, passion, humility, and competitiveness. Because
of sports, I learned how to apply these lessons to my
academic career and other extracurricular activities. Sports
have instilled in me a sense of leadership, having been
captain on my high school team for two years.Sports have
also helped me interact with people, especially my
teammates. I have learned how to support, be supported and
empathize with other people. Although track is a very
individual sport, there is nothing better than teamwork, and
pursuing the same goal, like winning a championship. The
bonds and the friendships that I have made while playing
sports are unforgettable.
Q:
At what point did you
realize you wanted to go to an Ivy League school?
A:
My college decision came down to the last minute!
Fortunately, with my grades and athletic talents the choices
seemed almost unlimited; however I narrowed the schools down
to ones where I had been contacted by the coaches. I ended
up only applying to four schools: Princeton, Chapel Hill,
Wake Forest, and Duke. Although I was accepted to all four,
and promised athletic money from Wake Forest and possibly
from Chapel Hill, I realized that I didn't want track to
become a job. I didn't want that constant pressure and a
scholarship looming over my head. As much as I love to run,
I also love being involved in other activities, like singing
and Christian fellowship, and academics will always come
first. Not only was the track coach from Princeton very
interested in me, I felt that Princeton would give me the
best opportunity to be involved in an array of activities,
while giving me a first rate education.
Q:
Is there a certain athlete you admire and why?
A:
I don't really have a favorite athlete. How do you choose
when each person has his or her own special talents? I like
all sports, and respect anyone who decides to pursue them
professionally. I do admire athletes who have overcome
something, whether it is a disease, death, disappointment,
or discrimination. I had the chance to meet Gail Devers at
the 2000 Indoor High School Nationals, and that was really
nice. I really respect her as a runner and I admire her
because she overcame her illness, Graves's disease, to
become one of the best sprinters in the world. I also admire
my dad. He has played sports all of his life and in College
(Rowan University formerly Glassboro State) he was a
Division III All-American in the 100 meters. He continues to
push me to greatness, and is still athletically active,
playing golf and running everyday.
Q:
What is the significance of Title IX to you?
A:
Just as Brown v. The Board of Education opened up
educational opportunities to African-American students, for
me, Title IX signaled the opportunity for women to have more
active roles in athletics. I couldn't imagine being unable
to play sports just because I am a woman! I extremely
appreciate all those women who three decades ago refused to
give up their passions, and struggled and fought for
equality on the playing fields. Sports offer such pertinent
learning experiences that no one regardless of gender or
race should be prohibited to play. Title IX is also
significant to me because it helped create a new sense of
femininity and self-esteem amongst girls and women. Now a
girl can play a sport, have a higher self-esteem, perform
better in the classroom, and not be considered an exception
or an anomaly.
Q:
In your opinion, what has
been a shining moment in women's sports?
A:
In 1900, women were first allowed to compete in the
Olympics. Although that was a century ago, what a wonderful
moment! I absolutely love the Olympic Games! There is
nothing better than watching the world unite for two weeks;
everyone pursuing the same goal in unity and fraternity.
Allowing women to compete gives other females, all over the
world, a chance to see strong women pursuing athletics in a
professional capacity. As women's participation in the
Olympics and sports in general continues to grow, hopefully
more young women will be inspired to pursue their athletic
dreams as well.
Q:
What would you tell young girls who are interested in
getting to where you are now?
A:
Start young. Try out a variety of sports, even ones that you
may find non-traditional. This is especially true for
African-American and other minority females, who either only
participate in basketball and track, or don't play sports at
all. One of the greatest things about Title IX is that it is
providing avenues for less popular sports like field hockey,
volleyball, etc. Get your parents involved: they can become
your biggest supporters, financiers, and helpers. I know
that if my parents had never looked into summer track
programs, I might not be where I am today. Once you've found
your passion, be dedicated, diligent, and disciplined; and
take this passion into the classroom also. When you pursue
excellence in academics, the collegiate doors are open wide,
and you can take both your academic and athletic talents to
a whole new level. Be patient: talents require honing. If I
would have given up when I thought I was slow or when I lost
my first race, I wouldn't be competing right now. Never give
up: there will be many times when you lose, and don't
perform as well as you would have liked. Keep your head up,
and don't let that stop you. Like someone once told me, "a
setback is a setup for a comeback." Don't let anyone tell
you, you can't do something just because you are a female.
It is okay to be a female athlete! Most importantly, pursue
your dreams and have fun.
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