Here is the next entry in our new series on NJ MileSplit, with so many seniors heading off to bigger and better things we wanted to give everyone a chance to salute them one more time. As well as to invite those seniors to tell their stories from the past four years. If you would like to partake in these articles here is how, we'll be posting all June and July as they come in.
Today we have a submission from Montgomery's Queen Divine who ranked NJ#10 in the 100 meter hurdles this past outdoor winning her Group 4 Central Sectional at 14.55. She competed at Nationals in both the 100 meter hurdles and the triple jump this year between indoor and outdoor as well as on her school's shuttle hurdle relay team.
Name: Queen Divine
School: Montgomery
What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?
My most memorable race was winning Group 4 Central Jersey sectionals in the hurdles. It was an extreme confidence booster for me and I ran one of my fastest hurdle times which put me at NJ#10 !
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Definitely myself. If you know me, you'd know how hard I am on myself. I was always trying to be better than my last race so my high school track career was definitely a battle.What was your greatest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment would be hurdling at outdoor nationals and triple jumping at indoor nationals this season. Up until this year I wasn't confident in my skills especially in the triple jump but going to nationals for both events really taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance.If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would redo my whole junior year as a runner. I didn't apply myself as much as I should which led to my senior year being my most stressful yet most successful year.What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
As a hurdler falling is always difficult, and this season and throughout my career, I've taken some pretty bad falls. Including a bad fall at MOC's this outdoor season. My biggest obstacle has been learning to get up and never give up.
What will you miss the most?
I'm really going to miss my brother, Messiah Divine. He decided to do track my senior season and to be honest without him, half of my victories would not have been possible. He's my motivation, I wanted to be great to show him what he could be.What advice would you give to younger athletes?
I would like to tell younger athletes to never forget how to be a student athlete. Yes track is fun and all, but talent with no grades makes everything harder. Also always push to be better than you think you are. Hard work is really underestimated nowadays.What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coach, Tim Bartholomew has really shaped me to be the athlete and person I am today. He was always reminding us as a team that working together was key and that winning is nothing if you don't have a support system behind you. I'm grateful to have had him as a coach and I know he will continue to influence many of my former teammates.
