Bio

I was born in Seoul, South Korea but since my father was in the U.S. Air Force I had the great privilege of living all over the world. The two places I lived the longest were Aiea, Hawaii and Burkburnett, Texas. In fact Hawaii is where I started track and field as a freshman in high school. I tried many events but was not good at any particular one. I just knew that I loved being part of a team but being able to compete as an individual. Sophomore year I moved to Burkburnett, Texas and kept doing track and field there as well. My coaches were Keri Cely, Denise Miracle, and Linda Richards from 2000-2002. I can honestly say that without them constantly pushing me and working with me I would not have done as well as I did.

I was on swim team when I was 10-12 years old at Osan AB, South Korea. I do not remember much except that I loved swimming and hated practice. At practice once it was dark and I was swimming really slow so my coach decided to jump in the water and grab my foot. I freaked out and thought (for some strange reason) a shark was trying to eat me and swam the fastest ever to the other side of the pool and hopped out. Yep, that was pretty much the extent of my swimming….unless you include that I am a surfer. Not sure if that really helps or not but I do love the water.

Other than that the only other sports I really did were softball and soccer. I have played softball for the base teams and intramural teams at every base since 2004. I love softball and everyone can attest to the fact that I love to play but track was my life. I played soccer in high school as a goalkeeper and was pretty good at that too but when my soccer coach said I had to choose between that or track I chose track.

My role models and inspiration growing up were Flo-Jo, Marion Jones (before the doping came to light), and of course Jackie Joyner-Kersee. They were all fast and had such great confidence. If you ask me right now who my role model is I would say my dear friend, Janay DeLoach. She has always worked hard and is the most humble professional athlete I know and continues to do so after being a 2x Olympian.