PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Rachael Uvieghara’s path to turning into one of many high observe athletes within the nation started on the basketball courtroom.
“I began working in seventh grade as a sport simply to remain in form for basketball,” Uvieghara stated.
That is when he realized he had velocity.
In his second season, he switched sports activities. He trades his basketball sneakers for cleats.
Rachael received gold within the 100 and 200 meters on the FHSAA State Championships this previous spring.
Two months later, she turned a nationwide champion, successful each races on the AAU Junior Olympics.
“One race I used to be actually pleased with myself for was the 200 regional as a result of I broke the regional document for that meet, however I used to be primarily pleased with that point as a result of I ran the 100 and 400 earlier than and I used to be actually drained after the 400,” defined Rachael.
Rachael is ranked as one of many nation’s high 10 observe and area athletes by Nike.
She’s going to compete on the Nike Indoor and Out of doors Championships in opposition to high US expertise no matter age.
She obtained faculty provides from throughout the nation and just lately dedicated to the College of Southern California.
“I centered primarily on the medical facet as a result of I need to be a physician, so I attempted to discover a faculty with a great medical program. And a great biomedical engineering program that builds on what I already know from highschool,” Rachael stated.
Charles Lewis, is the pinnacle athletic coach at Palm Harbor College Excessive Faculty. He says Rachael’s work ethic is second to none.
“She is a tough employee, she is devoted. And constant,” Lewis stated. “Whether or not she’s doing the excessive bounce, lengthy bounce, 200, 400, 100, she’s a crew participant.”
Coach Lewis says there are not any off days for Rachael.
“On the weekends once I’m staying, Rachael will name me and say, ‘Hey coach, are you able to open the observe?’ It could possibly be Sunday.”
That is why he believes Rachael will obtain her dream of competing within the Olympics.
She’s already coaching for the trials — and is conserving her choices open about which race to concentrate on — the 100, 200 or 400.
“At present, my plan is to coach for some time. And once I do that point, then I will be capable of know what occasion I can do for the Olympic trials.”
As she races towards her future, it is clear that Rachael is on the quick observe to success.