The University of Miami landed one of the top sprinters in the country when Pasco's Alfreda Steele chose the Hurricanes over offers from South Carolina, FSU, Nebraska, and Texas A&M. Steele is a three time state champion winning gold in the 100 and long jump in 2015 and 200m dash in 2014. Her personal best time of 11.33 at the Brooks PR Invitational is the second fastest returning time in the nation behind fellow Floridian Khalifa St. Fort who recently committed to UCLA. The Pasco standout says the whole journey has been up and down coming from Dade City to the national stage.
"It's amazing just looking at how far I've came already. I never dreamed of it but there's so much I want to accomplish now. What sold me on Miami was that its an amazing program overall. The academics, the athletic history, and the atmosphere. The success Coach Deem has had with Olympic athletes did play a factor because of my Olympic dream. Thats not all though, its the best decision for me overall."
Steele, who we nicknamed Real Deal Freda, remembers her first experience with the sport a 200m dash in the 8th grade, where she was the fastest of any of the girls out there. From that moment on she knew had the talent to succeed and with the help of Coach Steven Rivers that plan of action came to fruition.
"It was important for me to buy into Coach Rivers plan because I knew he would take me far. No matter how hard it was he always made sure I had what I needed to be a successful athlete. I love putting in work at the oval office."
Rivers says his star pupil has come very far, but still has so much left to go.
"It doesn't take much to get her hyped, but at the same time you won't know it until you see her race with absolutely no fear. We are still in the process of getting better because there is more work to be done.
The future is really really bright for Freda. She will go as far as she wants to go. I can truly see her on the US team and in the Olympics one day soon."
That drive is on full display whether it was in the state meet as a freshman or afternoon workouts while others are taking time off. Steele says that is what makes her so talented and will make her successful in college and beyond.
"I just GRIND, thats it. I keep God first and stay humble. That is what takes me far. My goals for college are to dominate the ACC & win a lot of national championships! I am looking forward to throwing up the U and representing as best as I can."
Now that one of the most important decisions of her youth is in the rear view mirror, Steele is passionate to end her high school career on a high note.
"I just honestly want to WIN. I want to dominate. I don't really have a time goal but going under 11 will be nice."
Personal Records
- 55m (in) - 6.96
- 60m (in) - 7.47
- 100m - 11.33
- 200m - 23.91
- Long Jump - 19-2
