Post by Maxell on Jan 19, 2022 13:31:58 GMT -5
ncataggies.com did an article last week on Paula Salmon, sharing her journey from elementary school to NCAA Nationals. These are the types of profiles I wish we did more of so that we get to know the kids and cheer even harder for them to succeed.
An excerpt:
"I'm very hungry," said Salmon about winning hurdles on the national level. "I've been training since September because my main goal is to win hurdles in indoor and outdoor. I enjoy doing high jump, but I didn't think I would do high jump in college.
Due to my leaping ability, my coach decided to let me do the high jump, where I could get us some points at conference and nationals. I believe I can succeed on the national level in the high jump, but that's not my main focus. My main focus is hurdles."
The love of track and field started in elementary school for Salmon when her gym teacher would spot her running through the halls. He encouraged Salmon's mother to let the high-energy youngster compete in track. From the beginning, Salmon's versatility was apparent as she started running multiple events almost immediately.
Even when she transitioned to high school, she ran multiple events. But there was a bit of a problem when she reached Clara Barton High School.
"My freshman and sophomore year, I wasn't that good," said Salmon. "I was the best on my team, but based on other athletes, my times were considered slow."
Therefore, Salmon made a choice. She stopped running for her high school team and started entering races as unattached to run against faster athletes. The strategy worked so much so that a former N.C. A&T track and field assistant approached her at indoor high school nationals about attending N.C. A&T.
There were two critical factors in Salmon's decision to become an Aggie. First, she admired N.C. A&T All-American sprinter Christopher Belcher who at the time was embarking on a professional career. Two, the head coach was a former world-class hurdler in Duane Ross.
ncataggies.com/news/2022/1/14/track-field-salmon-returned-to-aggieland-for-hurdle-glory.aspx
An excerpt:
"I'm very hungry," said Salmon about winning hurdles on the national level. "I've been training since September because my main goal is to win hurdles in indoor and outdoor. I enjoy doing high jump, but I didn't think I would do high jump in college.
Due to my leaping ability, my coach decided to let me do the high jump, where I could get us some points at conference and nationals. I believe I can succeed on the national level in the high jump, but that's not my main focus. My main focus is hurdles."
The love of track and field started in elementary school for Salmon when her gym teacher would spot her running through the halls. He encouraged Salmon's mother to let the high-energy youngster compete in track. From the beginning, Salmon's versatility was apparent as she started running multiple events almost immediately.
Even when she transitioned to high school, she ran multiple events. But there was a bit of a problem when she reached Clara Barton High School.
"My freshman and sophomore year, I wasn't that good," said Salmon. "I was the best on my team, but based on other athletes, my times were considered slow."
Therefore, Salmon made a choice. She stopped running for her high school team and started entering races as unattached to run against faster athletes. The strategy worked so much so that a former N.C. A&T track and field assistant approached her at indoor high school nationals about attending N.C. A&T.
There were two critical factors in Salmon's decision to become an Aggie. First, she admired N.C. A&T All-American sprinter Christopher Belcher who at the time was embarking on a professional career. Two, the head coach was a former world-class hurdler in Duane Ross.
ncataggies.com/news/2022/1/14/track-field-salmon-returned-to-aggieland-for-hurdle-glory.aspx