Based on what she did on Saturday, this could be a very good year for Natalliah Whyte.
The junior at Florida Atlantic University [FAU] opened her outdoor season with a world-leading 11.17s at the 2019 Hurricane Invitational on Saturday, something that pleased both her and her coach Henry Rolle.
Whyte said she went into the race only intending to follow her coach’s instructions.
“I did not have my mind set on anytime really. I just wanted to go out and get a feel of the 100. But I was impressed by the time I was feeling pretty good in my warm-ups and my coach’s instructions was to just execute and a time would come,” she said.
“He was pleased with the execution, [the] first race outdoors and it’s a different feeling from indoor but still there is room for improvement as always.”
Notwithstanding Coach Rolle’s assessment, Whyte believes she did a pretty good job in her first race of the season.
“To be honest, I have no complaints. I think I did a good job at executing, getting it right from the start to the drive phase and running through the line,” she said, suggesting that as long as she remains healthy things look promising for 2019.
“Anything is possible and I think if I continue to work hard on the track, in the weight room and also work on the small things like stretching and staying healthy, this year could be a good year.”
The time was also a new school record for Whyte, who is in her first full year of competition for FAU having transferred from Auburn. She said it is good that she can leave her own legacy there.
“It’s always good to be remembered and there is a quote that says “If your presence doesn’t make an impact then your absence won’t make a difference”, and it’s always great to set an example for others and hopefully they can see that anything is possible and will strive towards that,” she said.
Source: Leighton Levy
www.sports24ghana.com
