East Ridge star Whitney sets national mark in 100
Clermont East Ridge star Kaylin Whitney vaulted into the national track and field spotlight on this date in 2014.
Whitney, who was 16 at the time, ran the 100-meter dash in a time of 11.10 seconds against a field that included collegiate runners to win the USA Track & Field Junior Championship for the 19-and-under age group and broke a 16-year-old high school national record.
One day later, she won the 200 dash in 22.49, which ranks second all time for high schoolers behind a 22.11 that Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix clocked as a California senior in 2003.
Whitney turned pro six months after her record-setting race, passing up the chance to continue high school competition.
She told the Orlando Sentinel she had a great experience during her two seasons of high school track, which culminated with Class 3A 100 and 200 titles as a ninth grader and a sweep of the 4A sprints as a sophomore.
“Was high school fun? Yes, it was the most fun I’ve ever had in interscholastic sports in my life,” Whitney said. “I enjoyed cheering my friends on and seeing them do well in their events.
“I know that to make that next jump in what I want to do with my life, I need to really focus on what matters most.”
She signed with Nike and has since added Red Bull as a sponsor. Whitney has trained alongside professionals in Lake County in the Star Athletics club, which is directed by former Olympic relay gold medalist Dennis Mitchell.
Whitney won two gold medals at the Pan Am Games and is still chasing her dream of competing at the Olympics.
Whitney told her family she was gay as a teen and has been advocate for other LGBTQ athletes.
“While it was definitely emotional and nerve-wracking, I knew my family and friends were going to love me no matter what, so I have nothing but positive things to say about my decision to come out so young,” Whitney told Shape magazine.
While she had family support, Whitney told the magazine running helped her cope with any adversity she faced.
“It was this unifying force that connected me with the world,” she said. “It became my outlet.”
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