One of the biggest experiences I've ever had in track and field was this past weekend, not only competing in the Pan-American Junior Athletics Championships, but doing so representing the United States of America. Making a USA team is a privilege most athletes don't get the chance to say they've done, but I am blessed and honored to have the ability to have earned the opportunity to run for the USA Jr. Track & Field team. I can absolutely say that this experience is one the best ways to get acquainted with some of the top athletes in the country whether they're apart of sprints, distance, jumps, throws or multi's.
The entire week was without a doubt memorable but, believe it or not, all of the memories occurred even before we got to our living arrangements. It started by the flights taken to to get to Edmonton. Seeing other people at the airport and wondering who's on your team was funny to me, but we were instantly able to distinguish ourselves by our USA issued backpacks. In some of the groups there were up to 12 athletes at one layover and, regardless if flights were delayed or not, it gave us a chance to converse and get to know who we would be living with for the next week.
One of my greatest expectations was the famous villages I've heard so much about from friends who have previously made world teams. To my surprise, we did not live in a athlete village I pictured. My expectations were exceeded when I arrived to the dormitories at the University of Alberta. It was like a track and field motel with 3 buildings, all with 11 floors and a different country to each floor. We took up the 10th and 11th floor of one building separating the young women and men. On the 11th floor lobby we had trainers and different therapist accessible at our leisure, and on the 10th floor lobby, where majority of the team interactions occurred, we had various games at our disposal. As far as the games are concerned, believe me when I say, I won a lot of them but the UNO games got INTENSE "FOR SURE" (Teahna Daniels, Kendall Ellis, and Landon Bartel would definitely agree)!
Although we were up there to take care of business at the stadium, our USATF staff made sure we were comfortable enough to enjoy ourselves outside of the track as well. Being amongst great Olympians such as Lauryn Williams who has been through endeavors like this and was relatable when sharing her experience of it made the entire trip even more comfortable and exciting. Other countries were not allowed on our floors simply because we had an ample amount of time to interact with them in the multiple dining and meeting areas just as well as at the stadium. The last day of competition was trading day and we got the chance to trade our gear with those of different countries. It was amazing to see how excited the other countries were to own an article of my gear because I was apart of team USA but I was more than welcome to trade to have a lasting souvenir of the countries. I made sure to keep at least one article of gear USATF had given me so that I could frame it in my room at home in Florida and remember the trip for a lifetime.
Ultimately, the USATF staff did a tremendous job with the way they structured our week. Canada was a beautiful place filled with beautiful people. Competition for the team was astounding. I feel that everybody went out and performed and represented like the champions they are, whether it was new records or missed PR's, I'm proud of my teammates for their efforts and accomplishments. I got 5th place in the 400m final and I was disappointed in myself for my performance, but my coach at Clemson University, Althea Thomas, assured me that "the worst lane is in the stands and I earned my way to the finals, an accomplishment many didn't have the privilege of saying" so I am proud of myself as well. I'm blessed to have made the relationships that I did on and off the team. This trip has inspired me to achieve more in track and field and assuredly make the world team in the future as many times as possible. I thank God for giving me the ability to compete at the caliber I do and for the opportunity I was afforded, and I thank USATF staff for having me. I am excited to see all of the competitors and my teammates in the seasons to come and for those who are still competing I wish the best of luck to you guys. Thank you FLRunners for this opportunity, it is always a pleasure to communicate with the #1 track and field site in my hometown. Last, but definitely not least, U-S-A, U-S-A!!!! #GoUSA
