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Superstar Takes Flight
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If you follow high school sports and high school track in particular, you have to just scratch your head and be amazed at what is going on at Rockdale County High School, particularly in the running world of sprinter Candace Hill. At only fifteen years old, Candace has successfully defended a title in both the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes at the GHSA Girl’s State Track Meet. Not only did the sophomore defend her standing title, but she did it with by logging an exceptional 11.34 in the 100 meter sprint and a time of 23.05 in the 200M. That is 'picking 'em up and putting 'em down' with the best of them. Coach Venson Elder puts it simply, saying his student-athlete is a "phenom.” "She is very special, real coachable, and a straight A student," Coach Elder added. Candace shared her thoughts about her accomplishments. “I definitely surprised myself with my times and accomplishments. As a freshman in high school, I didn’t expect to win two state titles, break records and become the Gatorade Athlete of the Year, and rank highly amongst the top sprinters in high school track and field history. It’s like opening a present each time I compete because I never know what times I will run.” Let’s turn the clock back just one year, to her freshman year; her very first race: the 200 meters. She lost a tight competition at the finish line but has not been defeated since…..two full years; two record-shattering performances at the state meet. “Candace tries hard and takes it seriously. She really loves the competition. When she was going into high school, she was concerned around competing against juniors and seniors. I told her, 'Let’s see what happens.' It’s turned out very well," said Laui Hill, Candace's mom. Coach Venson was ready with high praise when I asked how good he thinks Candace could become. "She looks a lot like Flo Jo, and her main goal is to break Flo Jo’s records,” the proud coach said. Now, for those of you who need a history refresher, Flo Jo is Florence Joyner Kersey: the top sprinter in women’s Olympic History. Flo Jo still holds the 100 meter record in a time of 10.49 and the 200 meter record in 21.34 -- both set in 1988. So that’s the gold standard of times. Candace has set her goals high. “My goal is to win and set personal records during my post season in the 100m and 200m. Another one of my goals is to make the World Youth Team this summer and proudly represent the USA in Cali, Columbia. Some of my long term goals are to continue to break records during my high school years, run track at an amazing college and one day, run pro in the Olympics.” This is one super sophomore to keep your eyes on. It will be a lot of fun to follow her career through two more years of high school, college, and if things go as planned, Olympic glory. Best of luck, Candace. The entire state of Georgia is rooting for you.
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