Junior Santana Baldwin conditions for the upcoming track season. Although this was the first day of conditioning, Baldwin has been conditioning ever since the summer. “I strained a muscle (last season) and thought it was okay for me to continue to run but it wasn’t. I didn’t do anything but make it worse. (The experience) was stressful and emotional.” Baldwin said.
By SAUDIA ROYAL – Staff Writer
Santana Baldwin is Clarke Central’s fastest female track runner. With a quad injury halting her participation in last year’s season, this year will be her year of redemption.
Baldwin started her track career when she was in the sixth grade. Baldwin could not officially be a part of Burney-Harris Lyons’ track team since she was in sixth grade, but she was preparing for what was to come.
“My dad introduced me to track. By the time I was able to run (officially with the team) in seventh grade I had already started running. (My dad) was my coach at school and at home,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin’s father was a high school track runner who excelled in his craft and has a great impact on her success as a runner.
“I feel like if I don’t do what he did it won’t be considered as breaking anything or setting any record, so I have to beat him–or come close,” Baldwin said.
As a freshman, Baldwin was the region 8AAAAA champion in the 200 meter dash.
“Santana is the fastest runner that we have. She is very versatile as she can run any race from the 100 meter dash up to the 400 meter dash and record very competitive times,” Assistant Principal and track head coach Reginald Thomas said.
In her sophomore season, however, Baldwin suffered a quadriceps injury that lasted all of the 2013-14 track season, and was not able to participate in any meets.
Baldwin’s injury had a heavy impact on her team.
“It was a big loss to the team. She was our number one runner and without her we fell back in the region. We were able to qualify for state but (had she competed), there is no doubt that we would have gone farther. We suffered tremendously with her individual events as we had no one to replace the speed that she brings to the table,” Thomas said.
Furthermore, Baldwin’s injury also affected her biggest fan.
“(My father) was supportive, but he was mad because (my injury) could have been avoided. He still says, ‘I wish you wouldn’t have sat out your tenth grade year because you would be better than you are now,’” Baldwin said.
Baldwin felt like she had let down her team, so she invested a majority of her time trying to improve. Baldwin now takes new precautions to prevent another injury.
“(This year I’m expecting) to go to state with no problem, win every single track meet with no problem, bring home more medals than I did my freshman year. (My dad) wants me to go to state in the 200 this year,” Baldwin said.
Through all the hardship that came along with her injury, Baldwin remains positive and motivated.
“(I find my motivation through) my goals and what I have done in the past. I want to be able to amount to it again I want to be able to reclaim it,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin has high hopes for her future in track.
“I want to break a couple of records when I go off to college and set some more. I’m not planning on anyone being able to break my records once I set them,” Baldwin said. “(Being an Olympian) is another one of my future goals, but I have to start somewhere else to get there.”
