Warrior of the Week 3/22/11: Tynia Gaither and Artie Burns

 

Tynia Gaither represented the Bahamas in the CARIFTA games this past summer and it was that experience that allowed her to realize her full potential. Osceola coach Eric Pinellas said that event was a turning point in her career.

 

“Before that we knew she could run but after competing there and on that level it made her realize her potential was limitless, and that she can run with anyone in the world.”

 

Gaither’s first meet of the 2011 season came on the indoor facilities at the University of Florida. At the Jimmy Carnes Invitational, the Osceola senior finished second to Boyd Anderson’s Shayla Sanders in both the 55 meter dash and 200. Coach Pinellas says the outcome of those races didn’t bother them. The two used it as a measuring stick of how Gaither has improved since the last time they were in Gainesville.

 

“We were in the middle of weightlifting season and had done very little on the track. So it wasn’t that big of a deal to her. We looked at the progression of where she was at that meet last year and then where she is this year and it made me feel pretty good about it because she’s way ahead already.

 

Since a year ago, the 5’4 Gaither, nicknamed “Tiny”, has gained eight pounds of muscle and become stronger in the weight room, bench pressing 145 pounds, lifting 155 on the clean and jerk, and squatting more than two and a half times her body weight, 315 pounds.

 

It is that strength and explosiveness that has her putting up incredible times. This weekend at the USF/Streinbrenner Invitational she beat Robin Reynolds head-to-head in both the 100 (11.54) and 200 (23.17). Her time of 23.17 is the fastest time in the country for 2011!

 

He is extremely pleased at the strides Gaither his taking towards her goals of 11.30 and 22.90 and says they are definitely attainable.

 

“She is right on pace where she needs to be for those. To be here already and not even started some of our endurance week that we will start in April, it’s a good feeling.”

 

Pinellas isn’t shy when it comes to talking about the credit his star runner deserves. Despite her blistering times he feels she is often overlooked next to the likes of Octavious Freeman and Robin Reynolds, two athletes for who both he and Gaither have great respect.

 

“She lives in the shadow of Freeman and Reynolds. They are great runners and their credit is well deserved but she has been right there with the times, traveled around the world , excelled and medaled in those meets in the Caribbean and Singapore, but doesn’t get the recognition. It doesn’t bother her but it bothers me sometimes.”

 

Gaither, who thrives on pressure and prides herself on matching up with the best of the best, is an avid student of the sport. Pinellas says she is on FLRunners constantly checking up on her competition. Last year, he says she would check up on the best in the state but this year she is looking at where she stacks up nationally. Though she might not be as tall as other sprinters Pinellas says it’s the size of her heart that makes her great.

 

“She is so strong and just loves the sport and will work harder than anyone. She works in the weight room and on the track. She hates to lose even to teammates in practice. She has a love for track and field that is unmatched.”

 

 

Tynia's Athlete Profile...

 

 

Artie Burns practiced and trained with Miami Northwestern in 2010 but he wasn’t a part of the team.  Subpar grades forced Burns to sit out his freshman year.  Coach Joseph Simpson says Burns is letting it be known that he is back and making a statement.

 

“He is on the right track and now he’s flowing and showing everyone what he is made of. This year his goal is to break everyone’s records and accomplish what he didn’t accomplish last year. I can’t say anything bad about the kid. I just want to be a part of his success.”

 

Success is an understatement. Burns, who has run uncontested throughout the year, continued his dominance at the Bob Hayes Invitational. He broke out with a US #2 time of 13.66 in the 110 hurdles to kick the meet off and followed it up with a nation leading 36.96 to win the 300’s.

 

That performance led him to meet MVP honors. Simpson says it worries him to a degree that if Burns is this good now what he will be like two years down the road. He can't help but comment that Burns is the ultimate team player as well.

 

“I don’t see any weaknesses in him. Everyone wants a kid like Artie Burns. He comes out and trains hard and wants to be a part of the team. In the past I’ve had individual runners but this year everyone wants to be a part of the team and he’s leading the pack in that.”

 

It is that hard work and willingness to go the extra mile that has Burns eyes set on going professional after his senior year. Coach Simpson isn’t laughing at the possibility and believes the sky is the limit for his star sophomore.

 

“He’s about 6’2 and still has more growing to do. There is no doubt if the said that’s what he is going to do he is going to do it. He’s already better than some college students and already reached goals some of them are trying to reach, so with the hard work he is doing now I don’t doubt he has the potential to succeed. There is still plenty of track out there for him. He is still writing his own book.”