Miami Northwestern sophomore Twanisha Terry is one of three Floridians heading to Cuba this weekend for the NSAF Caribbean Scholastic Invitational. Terry, the 3A state champion in the 100, runner-up in the 200 and part of the Bull's nationally ranked relay teams. She recalls when she first found out she had made the U.S. team.
"One day at practice I was telling Coach Carmen (Jackson) I'm going to make the World Youth Team this year. When I left practice I had went to help out at a restaurant I was on the phone with a customer when I noticed Coach Carmen keep calling. I called her back and she had told me I made the team to run in Cuba. I was surprised and had a huge smile on my face.
The trip will mark the first time out of the country for the youngster, but she is sure it won't be the last. She knows that track will be an avenue to see and experience the world. In Havana, she will be joined by fellow South Florida standout Rasheed Tatham of St. Thomas Aquinas, and jumper Nicole Greene of Jacksonville who has signed with UNC. She says she's looking forward to how she does as an individual, but also how the team fares against Cuba's top athletes and others from the Caribbean.
"I'm not sure what I will be running. I think I will be competing in the 100 and 4x1. In the 100, I want to run 11.3 or lower and the 4x1 to get the stick around the track and run a 44 mid. I'm looking forward to see not only how I do individually but as a team. I think we will do outstanding as one whole considering the fact we already motivate each other."
The last time an American team ran in the island nation was 1997 for the Pan-Am games. Terry says representing the USA in a different county is an amazing feeling.
"My thoughts on Cuba are I fill I will get there and run faster then I expect. I think there will be great competition along with new experiences. Getting to run in front of people who probably never heard of me before and making a mark not only for myself, but the beautiful USA. I am also representing Miami Northwestern. I have alot of people rooting for me and expecting me to do outstanding."
Flrunners.com/MileSplit will be on-site all weekend long so stay tuned for features, race videos, interviews, recaps, results and coverage of all the action!
More Coverage
- Twanisha's Athlete Profile
- Article: NSAF Develops Athletes, Diplomats With Caribbean Scholastic Invitational In Cuba
- 2015 Caribbean Scholastic Invitational Meet Page
