Feature Friday: Faith Bethea Soars Into The Record Book

Every season there are athletes that seemingly come out of nowhere and make an immediate impact.

But not many have ever burst on the scene the way Snyder junior Faith Bethea has!

Bethea has been one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises in the state so far this season, soaring 18-8 in the long jump in just her third high school meet ever this past Tuesday at the Jersey City Championships at Lincoln Park.

That shattered the Hudson County record of 18-3 that was set in 2017 by Malia Gray of St. Dominic Academy at the Non-Public B State Championships, and is No. 1 in the state this season.

Bethea also won the 100m dash in a NJ#9 12.84, and the 200 in 26.79, and was second in the 400 at the Jersey City Championships to help lead Snyder capture its fourth straight team title.

Bethea has been a volleyball star at Snyder for the last couple years, and was finally coaxed into trying track and field. 

NJ MileSplit recently caught up with Bethea to find out what made her come out for track and field this season, how she feels about her instant stardom, and a whole more more. 

So kick back and enjoy our latest installment of Feature Friday as we shine the spotlight on Snyder junior Faith Bethea, who has come out of nowhere to become one of the state's biggest stars.

NJM: Can you describe just how awesome it feels to be the new Hudson County record holder in the long jump after just the third meet of your career with the 18-8 you hit on Tuesday

I wasn't really sure on how to feel at first but now I am actually kind of happy. Like I did something that I really didn't know I can do. My coach and mother had believed in me. 

How about the great meet you had at the Jersey City Championships, winning three events and helping Snyder win the team title. How does it make you feel to have all this success already and help your team win?

My main thing is I do what I have to do. I have younger people looking up to me so I want them to see that you have to always fight n finish it out.

Like I said before, you've only had three meets in your career and currently ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 12 in the country in the top long jump. How surprised are you by what you're doing?

I was very surprised but I always knew I had it in me because I was a competitive cheerleader I was always jumping in the air, all over the mat... I basically used my skills from cheer and brought it to track in my mind. 

Your 18-8 was a PR by more than a foot for you? What did you do differently on that jump to go as far as you did?

Yes, my PR by more than a foot. If I'm being honest in my head while I was running I told  myself, "You can do it." "Don't beat yourself up just chill" ,"You must do better than before", and "Time to make my coaches and proud" and boom I seen my coach face I knew I beat my goal and made my coach proud. 

All my friends would tell me you would be good in this sport, and I didn't believe them until the coach convinced me with winning a lot of medals, and telling me he sees big stuff in the future. 

Did you ever compete in track and field before this year-in middle school or for a club team?

I actually ran track in eighth grade. I just recently found a picture of me with my two medals I had because we only had one big meet that year. I had ran 100m and won, and also ran a 4x100 when my team placed second. 

Tell me about your volleyball career at Snyder? Have you played varsity since your freshman year? Did you play volleyball before you got to high school.

I started playing volleyball my sophomore year. I had seen a post on my friend page saying something about volleyball. I was like I wanted to do that so I texted her about it and one day she texted and was like come to open gym. So I came didn't know what I was doing at first so I was watching until Coach Mercer told me to try and hit. She taught me the foot work and hand motion and once I got the rhythm I started hit good and that's when she gave me that look like she's going to be good we gonna put her on varsity in a low tone. I've been playing for the last two years. 

Lots of volleyball players find success in track and field because they have great jumping ability. What are your greatest strengths as a volleyball player, and how do you think those things have helped you be successful in the jumps and sprints in track?

My greatest strength is jumping high and blocking and I have good movements. It help me learn how to jump up high And it's you have to make sure your always on your toes constantly moving. 

Tell me about the biggest goals you have for the rest of this season? No very many girls in state history have ever gone 20 feet in the long jump, but it seems like you have the potential to do that! 

My biggest goal for the rest of the season is to always want better than before. Keep pushing myself to doing better.