Shaylynne Rodriguez '21 Recruiting Profile

Hi, I'm Shaylynne and I'm a 12h grader at TAFT High School. I started running track in 9th grade and immediately loved it. I don't regret starting later than others. I was naturally a fast runner in my league freshmen year. I saw most of my meets as fun and easy, being on frosh level. Never losing a race and becoming league champ for all my events that season, I was so proud of the accomplishments. I went to the city for my 400 where I lost and watch all the girls past me. I knew I would have to work harder and become stronger to keep myself from beating myself up over this small bump in the road. Going into sophomore year I was scared to go on varsity. Scared that the meets would not be as easy. The new competition though is what I needed. I love the adrenaline of facing off against someone faster than you. Pushing myself during the race and the outcome of me winning was even better than just winning cause I was fast. In sophomore year I became league champ again for all my events and went to CA State for my 300 hurdles. There I was introduced to more girls, with passion as strong as mine but more speed than me. I didn't win state but this summer I'm working harder than I ever have before. Next year I hope to place in the state. Being the only girl that went to state from my team, I hope to bring other girls with me.  I know that I didn't start at the age of 11 like everyone else but the passion and the fire is still in me and will be for the next 8 years and even more to come.