Abigaille Batu-Tiako '20 Recruiting Profile

My name is Abigaille Batu-Tiako, and I am a  senior student athlete at Plattsburgh High School. I have been running track and field for over four years now, but it wasn't until tenth grade, when I realized my potential. In tenth grade I helped my 4x200m relay win the section title and go to the NYS indoor championships. When the outdoor season came around, I knew I wanted to improve on an individual event. I started to practice hurdles on my own, and when i felt comfortable I asked my coach if I could do them as an event. My first race I ran 20 seconds in 100mh, I kept practicing and by the end of the season I ran 18 seconds. The season was over and I was disappointed with myself, I wanted to get better. Eleventh grade rolls around the corner and I was motivated. I had been stressed out academically and financially, but I was really craving success. I was always second place at regular season meets and I was annoyed. When sectionals for indoor track came around, the motivational speeches my coach gave me weren't helping, I could not beat the girl in front of me. I still went to the indoor state championships and competed in 55mh and the 4x200m relay. When the outdoor season came around I had a different mindset. I started to put more time into hurdling, any free time we had after workouts, I was figuring out how to get faster. Sectionals was right around the corner and I had a lot of work to do. I started watching YouTube videos, and staying longer after practice. The day of sectionals I was announced section 7 champion for 100mh! I had shaved off two seconds from last years time. Winning that title made the long practices a little less long, and the hard workouts a little less hard. I competed at NYS outdoor championships for the first time and pr'd again. It is my senior year and I have been undefeated all indoor season for the 55mh, this might sound like good news but I know I haven't reached my best times yet. The coaching staff has been changed and I have completely lost my focus an passion, it wasn't until a friend of mine reminded me of my goals. I have improved so much over the past two years, it'd be a great pleasure and opportunity to be apart of something bigger than myself. Thank you for your time, it is much appreciated!