As the Winter Track and Field season is underway, one athlete has been doing big things. State High senior and jumper on the track & field team, Sanai Abdullah, breaks records and should continue performing at this high caliber.
Although she has come a long way and done great things, it has not always been this way for Abdullah. “I did do jumps whenever I was little, but I didn’t take it seriously until I was like 13,” Abdullah said.
By sticking with it and adapting with age, her athletic mindset has changed. State High Track and Field Head Coach, Artie Gilkes said, “She has become a very fierce competitor, a really aggressive competitor, and her marks are indicative of that.”
Abdullah’s beginning never defined her talent level even though it may have taken her a few years to receive the credit that she deserved. “She was kind of just in the background. Being in the background gave her an opportunity to maybe not give the most vigorous effort,” Gilkes said.
It’s now known that this never stopped Abdullah from giving it her all. She stayed with it even while upperclassmen were more in the spotlight. Due to her competitiveness and love of the sport, she has shown the world who she is.
When it comes to the various jumps in the sport, they are not created equal. “I think the long jump is my favorite. I think I’m better at it instead of doing a hop, skip and a jump for triple jump,” Abdullah said.
Abdullah has made great strides and is now a true team player. “I think she gets along with everyone,” Gilkes said. “When we were in Philadelphia, she was the first one competing of the day, after that she was wildly cheering for all of her teammates.”
The happy, athletically smart athlete in Abdullah does not just compete for glory, but because of the fun she feels being with teammates and socializing between jumps. “I think that half the reason she does jumps is because she can socialize while doing it,” Gilkes said.
Looking back on Abdullah’s history, the best accomplishments are the ones that individuals themselves are proud of. “Honestly, I’m most proud of getting the confidence to take jumping seriously,” Abdullah said.
Throughout Abdullah’s four years in the State High Track & Field Program, she has really grown into her skin. She puts in the work, shows up on time, gets checked in and does what she needs to get done in practice, all while having a good time. Abdullah could find herself competing in bigger competitions this year and for years to come. “I can see her competing in college and hope she does. I think she has the talent for it,” Gilkes said.
Looking down the road, where Abdullah goes is up to her. “I want to study molecular biology, so hopefully I’ll be working with stem cells and stuff,” Abdullah said.
The once shy athlete has worked hard and finally made a name for herself. Abdullah will not be forgotten at State High and especially on the State High Track and Field Team. Wherever she ends up, people will know her name.
