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Track star Alabi wants a photo finish
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In Long Reach High’s gymnasium, a banner hangs displaying the names of all the school’s students who won a state track title in an individual event. For her first two and a half years of high school, Funmi Alabi dreamed of being on that banner.
“I wanted to be that girl to win states once,” the junior said.
Alabi’s name will soon be added to the banner, as she won the 3A title in the 55-meter dash in 7.0 seconds — the best time in the state this season — during the indoor season.
But now Alabi has a new mission: Lead her team to a state title, which would enable the squad to have a group picture on the gymnasium wall, immortalized alongside the school’s seven other teams that claimed either an indoor or outdoor championship.
“I want to win states by my senior year so I could get that picture on the gymnasium. That's my biggest dream,” Alabi said. “Hopefully, if the girls work hard, it can become possible.”
Alabi and the Lightning have started the season strong, defeating Oakland Mills and Glenelg in a Howard County meet on Wednesday. Alabi led the way, winning the 100-meter dash in 11.9 seconds and the 400-meter dash in 1:04.13.
Alabi has been the driving force on a team composed primarily of freshmen and sophomores, as she’s emerged as a mentor to her younger teammates.
“I think they're hilarious. They're so fun to be around,” Alabi said of her teammates. “I want to be the leader to them, so hopefully they look up to me.”
They do.
“I look up to her because she's like a star,” freshman sprinter Aneesha Scott said. “She kind of inspires me to keep running.”
In indoor track, Alabi helped lead Long Reach to a 3A Central Regional title, but Coach Leslie Thomas expects the team to be even better during the outdoor season. Of Long Reach’s seven titles, five were won in outdoor track from 1998-2002.
“I would be surprised if she doesn't break the state record for the 100 [meter dash],” said Thomas.
The Lightning's success this season hinges on the performance of Alabi, as well as Scott, Jacqueline Tapé, Nicole Vanagas and Ashleigh Elmer and Keri Wilson. Alabi has made sure to push her teammates, so one day they can make a lasting mark together by getting their picture taken as state champions.
“I tell them that they need to work hard, they need to stay focused, and they need to set a goal,” Alabi said. “Sometimes they listen to me, sometimes they don't, but I think they respect me.”
avitelli@baltimoreexaminer.com
