I've had a lot of success on the track in my collegiate career.
In 2023, I earned All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 400-meter dash, and I won the AAC Outdoor Championships in the 400-meter dash in 2022.
However, my journey has been anything but easy.
I sustained a serious foot injury that forced me to take a year off from competition, transferring schools in the process.
I've spent countless hours in the training room, trying to rehab and get back to running pain-free.
It's been a long road to recovery, and although I'm still not exactly where I want to be, I am thankful to compete during the 2025 indoor season.
I feel blessed to be racing again, but I'm still chasing bigger goals.
The early years
I've been competing in track and field since I was in first grade, and I have countless memories from that time.
One of my favorite things was being a part of my AAU team in middle and high school.
I loved being around my teammates and feeding off their positive energy. We went to countless meets together, and it was always a highlight of my summer.
We were so close, and it felt like we were winning together. I couldn't wait for the summer to be with my AAU team.
Having that community is what made those early years so special.
A tough decision
When I went off to college to run track at UCF, I had a great experience, especially in my junior and senior years.
I was performing well, making lifelong friendships, and getting good grades. What more could I ask for, right?
But in my fifth year at UCF, I sustained a foot injury, and that's when things started to change.
After discovering the serious nature of my injury, I knew that if I wanted to compete in my last year, I had to take time off.
I prayed about it, talked to friends and family, and ultimately made the decision to transfer to Texas A&M University.
As soon as I got there, I felt like I had all the support and resources necessary to get me back to running.
While I'm not performing at the level I want to be, just being able to run is a great accomplishment.
Stepping back on the track
When I first got back on the track post-injury, it was a bit of a rollercoaster.
I was anxious and scared because I didn't know what type of pain I would experience.
But, I had been working with a psychologist to come up with mental exercises and affirmations to help me get through those moments.
By the time I stepped on the line for my first race, a 4x4 relay, I was actually pretty excited.
Hearing my name and accolades during the introduction really ignited the fire in me.
It reminded me of who I was and what I had accomplished before my injury.
I was able to get the baton in a great position for my team, and while it wasn't the result I wanted, I was learning to give myself grace.
Making the most of it
For the remainder of the season, my main goal is to stay healthy.
This injury is something I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life, and I need to give myself grace, compassion, and self-love.
I've come a long way, and I need to remember that my story is unique.
I can't compare myself to others.
If I can stay healthy, the rest will fall into place.
As for life after college, it's still up in the air.
My goal was always to be a professional athlete, but with this injury, I have to be realistic.
I might have to make the tough decision not to run professionally and focus on taking care of my body.
If that's the case, I'll be happy with myself because I know I'm making the best decision for me.
No matter what, I know that God has a plan for my life, and I'll be great at whatever path I choose.
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📷 Latasha Smith and Texas A&M Athletics
