Deanna Hill, Diamond Spaulding, Alfreda Steele. The top three finishers in the 100 meter dash at the 2A state championship. Hill, one of the top sprinters in the country was invited to the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle and Dream 100 in New York City. Spaulding, a key part in one of the top programs in the state, Plantation American Heritage. Then there was Steele. The freshman from Pasco County, a virtual unknown.
Steele's family knew she had talent and urged her to start running in the 8th grade. At the beginning of her freshman year she was clocking in at around twelve seconds, but as the season progressed so did injury. The youngster began experiencing shin splints and thought it would soon effect her performance.
"I just listened to my coaches, kept icing, and taking care of it, and I pulled through. Once I got on the track, they didn't really matter anymore."
It was the first year, she admitted to having really good training under her belt. Under coach Steven Rivers, Steele, began to flourish and peak at the postseason. She competed in the 100, 200, and long jump for the Bulldogs, but it was the fastest race in track and field that she shined the most. She finished as the regional runner-up in a time of 12.09 and followed that up with a bronze medal at the state championship. Her time of 11.92 was a new personal best and the third fastest for a freshman in the state behind Kaylin Whitney and Khalia St. Fort of St. Thomas Aquinas. Afterwards, Steele says she felt accomplished and that there was more to achieve on the horizon.
"I felt like if I could do that then I could do anything that I set my mind to. I was happy after states and I knew I could go farther than that."
Farther meant taking her talents on the summer AAU circuit where she dismantled the competition. Steele, who admits to being an avid cartoon watcher when she isn't running, did not a lose a race in any round in the BAYTAF, USATF Florida Association Champion, USATF Region 4 Championship and her final race of the season the Girls 15-16 year old 100 meter dash finals at USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships. She says winning the title was surreal at first, but she had a gut feeling coming in that she'd be fine.
"My coach called me the night before and told me to be patient with my drive phase, make sure I stay relaxed during the race, and finish strong. I did exactly that and I came out on top. It was the last race of my freshman year and the best. It topped everything."
Is Alfreda Steele the real deal? She says definitely.
"For those who might have not known about me, watch out . This is only the intro. There is more to come."
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